India to reopen malls, restaurants and offices

India is reopening shopping malls, places of worship, restaurants and offices from 8th June as it eases its lockdown restrictions.

The guidelines include staggered work hours, no edible offering at temples and air conditioning at 24C (75.2F).

However, these places will remain closed in containment zones, with only essential services allowed.

People with comorbidities, pregnant women and elderly people have been asked to stay home.

The health ministry has asked all establishments to ensure hand sanitisers are placed at entrances and to adhere to strict social distancing measures.

Religious places of worship have been allowed to reopen but with stringent guidelines - no distribution of edible religious offerings, no sprinkling of holy water, idols and holy books cannot be touched, and large gatherings are prohibited.

According to the standard operating procedures for restaurants and hotels, food packets cannot be handed over directly to customers.

Shopping malls have been asked to close gaming areas, cinema halls and play areas.

Currently, India has 226,770 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 6,348 deaths.

[Source: BBC]