New Update
India's COVID-19 tally has crossed 63 lakh-mark with a spike of 86,821 new cases and 1,181 deaths reported in the last 24 hours, as of Thursday morning.
The total number of coronavirus cases has increased to 63,12,585 out of which 9,40,705 are active cases, 52,73,202 have been cured and discharged while 98,678 COVID patients died due to the pandemic, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), a total of 7,56,19,781 samples were tested up to September 30 for COVID-19. Of these, 14,23,052 samples were tested on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday issued new guidelines for Unlock 5.
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The States and UTs have been given the flexibility to permit gatherings beyond the limit of 100 persons, outside containment zones, after October 15, with conditions-in closed spaces, maximum of 50 percent of hall capacity allowed, with a cap of 200 persons. Wearing of face masks and social distancing is mandatory, the MHA stated.
The Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla wrote to the Chief Secretaries of all States and UTs asking them to ensure compliance with the guidelines of re-opening and their strict implementation.
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Likewise, the State and UT governments shall not impose any local lockdown (State/ District/ sub-division/City/ village level), outside the containment zones, without prior consultation with the Central Government.
Meanwhile, there is no restriction on inter-state and intra-state movement, the Ministry of Home Affairs stated.
The Government of India also stated that social, academic, sports, entertainment, cultural, religious, political functions, and other congregations have already been permitted with a ceiling of 100 persons, outside COVID-19 containment zones only.
The cinema halls, theatres, multiplexes have been permitted to open with up to 50 percent of seating capacity, for which, SOP will be issued by the Information and Broadcast Ministry.-