COVID-19: Indian government extends guidelines for re-opening till Nov 30

"Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued an Order today to extend the Guidelinesfor Re-opening, issued on 30.09.2020, to remain in force upto 30.11.2020," read a statement issued by the Indian government.

Since the issuance of the first Order on lockdown measures by MHA on Mar 24, 2020, almost all activities have been gradually opened up in areas outside the Containment Zones.

While most of the activities have been permitted, some activities involving large number of people, have been allowed with some restrictions and subject to SOPs being followed regarding health and safety precautions.

These activities include - metro rail; shopping malls; hotel, restaurants and hospitality services; religious places; yoga and training institutes; gymnasiums; cinemas; entertainment park etc.

In respect of certain activities, having relatively higher degree of risk of COVID infection, State/ UT Governments have been permitted to take decisions for their re-opening, based on the assessment of the situation and subject to SOPs.

"These activities include – schools and coaching institutes; State and private universities for research scholars; allowing gatherings above the limit of 100 etc," read a government statement.

" There is a need to exercise abundant caution by adopting COVID-19 appropriate behavior by every citizen in their daily routine. A ‘Jan Andolan’ was launched by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi on 8th October 2020 on COVID-19 appropriate behavior," the Indian government released statement said cautioning people.

Lockdown shall continue to be implemented strictly in the Containment Zones till 30th November, 2020.

The Indian government on Tuesday said new confirmed cases in the last 24 hours have fallen below 36,500 (36,470) for the first time in three months.

The new cases were 34,884 on 18th July, 2020.

With a high number of COVID patients recovering every day and the sustained fall in the mortality rate, India’s steady trend of registering dipping active cases continues.

In another achievement, the active cases have drastically declined to 6.25 lakh. The total positive cases of the country are 6,25,857 and now comprise merely 7.88% of the total cases.

35% of the total Active Cases in the country today are being reported from only 18 districts.

The slide in active cases in supplemented by an exponential rise in the recoveries. The total recovered cases have crossed 72 lakhs (72,01,070). This has widened the gap between active cases and recovered cases and stands at 65,75,213 today.

63,842 patients have recovered and discharged in the last 24 hours. The national Recovery Rate has further grown to 90.62%.

78% of the new recovered cases are observed to be concentrated in 10 States/UTs .

Maharashtra is leading with more than 9,000 single day recoveries followed by Karnataka with more than 8,000 recoveries.

76% of the new confirmed cases are from 10 States and UTs.

Kerala and West Bengal have contributed the maximum to the new cases with more than 4,000 cases each. Maharashtra, Karnataka follow with more than 3,000 new cases.

488 case fatalities have been reported in the past 24 hours. Of these, nearly 80% are concentrated in ten States/UTs. The deaths are below 500 for second consecutive day.

Maharashtra has reported the maximum single day deaths (84 deaths).

India’s case Fatality Rate stands at 1.50%.