After being shut since March, shopping malls, restaurants and places of worship on Monday across the country reopened under Centre’s Unlock 1.0 to after staying shut since March due to the COVID-19 induced lockdown.
Several malls in the national capital and across the country opened up with strict measures and installation of precautionary equipment to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Scores of temples, mosques and gurudwaras were seen opening up keeping in view the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) issued by Union Home Ministry to prevent coronavirus spread.
As per Ministry of Health guidelines, touching of idols/holy books, choir/singing groups, etc are not allowed.
There have been visuals pouring in from several places like Delhi, Lucknow, Bengaluru, Ayodhya, etc where people gathered at several religious places to offer prayers.
Punjab: Devotees visit Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple), Amritsar to offer prayers as Govt allows reopening of religious places from today.A devotee says,”We all must follow social distancing norms&take precautionary measures like wearing masks&sanitizing our hands frequently”. pic.twitter.com/7dfnAo1KFD
— ANI (@ANI) June 8, 2020
With national capital seeing a rise in coronavirus cases, the devotees were seen wearing masks and taking precautions. People were also seen offering prayers at Kalka Ji Temple.
Delhi: People gather at Jhandewalan Temple to offer prayers; government has allowed reopening of religious places from today. pic.twitter.com/waSMg4XHme
— ANI (@ANI) June 8, 2020
Several people arrived at Sri Bangla Sahib Gurudwara to offer prayers. Devotees were made to pass through the disinfectant tunnel before entering the Gurdwara in order to prevent the virus.
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In Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath offered prayers at Gorakhnath Temple after state government allowed re-opening of places of worship from today.
Gorakhpur: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath offers prayers at Gorakhnath Temple.
Government has allowed re-opening of places of worship from today. pic.twitter.com/tugUioZ59h
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) June 8, 2020
Although religious places have opened in most of the states, however, there are some states which are yet to do so.
Based on the assessment of the situation, the Odisha Government ordered that all religious places/places of worship for the public will continue to remain closed till June 30.
Earlier, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said that religious places and places of worship for public, hotels, restaurants and other hospitality services along with shopping malls will be permitted to open from June 8.
However, these facilities will not be able to resume operations inside containment zones designated by authorities in states.
(With ANI inputs)