Religious places, malls reopen on a prayer

Religious places and shopping malls, closed since the lockdown was first announced on 24 March, opened across the country today, barring states like Maharashtra and Goa. (Express Photo by Kamleshwar Singh)

As part of the "unlockdown 1" phase, the MHA has permitted these places to open up with a certain level of precautionary measures to control the spread of coronavirus. Not more than 50 per cent of seating capacity is going to be permitted at food courts and restaurants, the guidelines say.

Shopping malls, restaurants and other establishments reopened in West Bengal on Monday after a gap of over two months with the state government allowing further relaxations as part of "Unlock-1". (Express photo: Partha Paul)

The Mamata Banerjee-led government had already eased curbs in the state from June 1, allowing places of worship to reopen and full operationalisation of the jute, tea and construction sectors. (Express photo: Partha Paul)

Kolkata: Traffic snarls were reported from several areas of the metropolis as government offices started operating with a 70-per cent attendance and most private offices and establishments recommenced near-normal functioning.(Express photo: Partha Paul)

Blend by tulsi, turmeric, jastimadhu, bayleaf, saffron and sweetened with Himalayan honey, a sweet manufacturer in Kolkata made "Immunity Sandesh" which has 14 other herbs and spices to boost body's immunity. (Express photo: Partha Paul)

Dlf Mall of India in Noida looks deserted as the mall didn't open Monday. "Only big bazaar is open inside the mall and the sanitisation/fumigation is taking place. Staff members are inside and there is no certainty as to when will the mall open says Deepak Solania, security in charge. Even TGIP mall and Garden Galleria in Noida remained closed and sanitisation process is being carried out inside, said the guards on duty. (Express photo: Mayank Chawla)

Authorities have to ensure that premises of religious places, restaurants, malls have been cleaned and provisions for adherence to social distancing and other protocols being made. (Express Photo by Amit Mehra)

While most states are following reopening of these places in a similar manner in Haryana, there will be no cap on the number of people inside the shopping malls or religious places. The standard operating procedures issues by the state government however, mention that “the number of entrants should be kept at a minimum to maintain social distancing norms”.(Express photo by Amit Mehra)

The guidelines issued by the Ministry state that entrance to religious places and malls must have hand sanitiser dispensers and thermal screening provisions. (Express Photo by Kamleshwar Singh)

Normalcy is swiftly returning on roads across the country with an apparent increase in vehicle traffic, especially in metropolitan cities. (Express Photo by Partha Paul in Kolkata)

Increased activities in public places can be seen across the nation. Asia's largest motor Market in Manimajra, Chandigarh catering to a relatively increased crowd after opening on the basis of odd and even. (Express photo by Jaipal Singh)

Taljai hill fores in Pune was opened for the first time since the lockdown and saw a high footfall of joggers despite opening for only 3 hours( 5am- 8 am) in a day. (Express Photo by Pawan Khengre)

In Delhi, that has around 100 big and small shopping malls, some have set up UV sterilisation chambers for people to disinfect their belongings, others have reduced the carrying capacity of elevators by 25 per cent. (Express Photo by Gurmeet Singh)

In Punjab, according to the guidelines issued by the government Saturday, restaurants or food courts in malls will not operate except for take away or home delivery. Guests in hotels will have to be served food in their rooms. (Express Photo by Gurmeet Singh)