Curbs eased in Noida and Ghaziabad, but malls, gyms to stay closed

NOIDA/GHAZIABAD: Lockdown restrictions would be lifted partially in Noida and Ghaziabad from Monday as the Uttar Pradesh government has announced the relaxation of curbs in several districts where Covid cases have dipped below 600.
On Sunday, Ghaziabad’s active cases stood at 496 after the health department discharged 162 people in the past 24 hours. Noida, on the other hand, had 583 active cases.The easing of curbs is only for 12 hours on weekdays. Night curfew and weekend lockdown will continue across the state. According to the government guidelines, all markets, industries, transport, offices and logistical firms can resume operations but with strict Covid protocols in place. However, shopping malls, gyms, spas, cinema halls, clubs and educational institutions will remain closed.
Standalone shops can stay open from 7am to 7pm on weekdays. In densely populated areas, vegetable markets have been asked to shift to open places. Restaurants and hotels can stay open for deliveries, but not for dining. However, exceptions have been made for eateries along highways and expressways and street vendors.
The guidelines have also specified on the number of people that can gather at one place. No more than 5 devotees will be allowed in religious places while weddings and other such social gatherings will happen with only 25 guests. A maximum of 20 people will be allowed in funerals. For those using the public transport to commute, two passengers can be allowed in auto-rickshaws, while three persons can ride an e-rickshaw. A car can ferry four persons in total.
Traders have been demanding that they be allowed to keep their establishments open for a longer period to make up for the losses incurred during the lockdown. During a recent meeting in Ghaziabad over the opening of economic activities, the traders had appealed to the government that shops be allowed to down shutters at 8pm instead of 7pm. The demand was, however, not accepted in the latest order. Officials said traders in Ghaziabad could not be granted special exemption. With the second Covid wave on the wane and the state government lifting the lockdown from most districts on June 1, residents of both Noida and Ghaziabad had been repeatedly demanding that the curbs be eased.
The district administrations said the unlock would happen gradually. “We have asked all offices to mandatorily set up Covid helpdesks. The offices should try to encourage work from home. However, if employees have to come to office, nobody with symptoms should be allowed,” said Suhas LY, the Noida district magistrate.
Asmita Lal, the acting district magistrate of Ghaziabad, said the guidelines would be enforced strictly. “We will ensure that people follow Covid-appropriate behaviour while they are out. Police will challan violators while the health department will intensify testing and contact tracing in containment zones,” she added.