Maharashtra Mission Begin Again: Restaurants, bars set to open from October 5; cinema halls, schools to remain closed

The government of Maharashtra on Wednesday issued new guidelines for easing the flow of activities in the state as part of Mission Begin Again and extended the lockdown till October 31. The state government in its fresh guidelines mentioned that schools, colleges, other educational institutions, cinema halls, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, bars, gyms, and auditoriums will remain closed in Maharashtra till October 31. Also, Metro rail, social /political/ sports/ entertainment/ academic/ cultural/ religious functions, and other large congregations will remain on the prohibited list of activities.

Coronavirus News LIVE Updates: Cinemas, entertainment parks permitted to reopen from Oct 15 under new guidelines by Centre; decision on schools left to states, UTs

The Union Home Ministry on Wednesday issued new guidelines for permitting more activities in areas outside the containment zones that include opening up cinemas, theatres and multiplexes with up to 50 per cent of their seating capacity from October 15. States and UT governments have been given the flexibility to decide on reopening schools and coaching institutions after October 15 in a graded manner, and permitting social, religious and political gatherings beyond the limit of 100 persons, subject to certain conditions. However, the ministry said that restrictions on international travel, except those permitted by the Centre, will continue. In a statement, it said the activities permitted from October 15 in areas outside the containment zones include cinemas, theatres and multiplexes that can open with up to 50 per cent of their seating capacity, for which the SOP will be issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Business to Business (B2B) Exhibitions will be permitted and the SOP will be issued by the Department of Commerce. Swimming pools being used for training of sportspersons will be allowed to open for which the standard operating procedure (SOP) will be issued by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. Entertainment parks and similar places will also be permitted to open from October 15. The SOP will be issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in this regard. All these activities had been shut after a lockdown was imposed from March 25 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Coronavirus News LIVE Updates: India COVID-19 tally nears 63 lakh; recoveries top 52.5 lakh

India’s COVID-19 tally stood at 62,98,124 with more than 85,000 cases added in a day, as per a PTI count at 9.30 pm on Wednesday. The total number of recoveries in a day stood at 86,223, taking the total to 52,60,641, the news agency’s tally showed, while the death toll increased to 98,578, with 1,167 deaths in a day. In its most recent update, the Union health ministry placed the total number of cases at 62,25,763 and the death toll at 97,497. The ministry said that 51,87,825 people have so far recovered from the infection.