Coronavirus update: India adds more than 50,000 cases for first time

The third ‘unlock’ phase, to relax restrictions from the nationwide lockdown to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), will begin August 1, 2020, said new guidelines released July 29 by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.

More restrictions were eased, according to guidelines, even as the pandemic shows no signs of slowing its spread across India:

• Restrictions on movement of individuals during the night curfew were removed.
• Gymnasiums and yoga institutes have been allowed to open August 5, but will have to follow rules — ensuring social-distancing — laid down by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• Independence Day functions will be allowed with social-distancing and other health protocols.
• Public spaces with large gatherings — including schools, cinema halls, swimming pools and bars — will remain closed.
• Schools, colleges and coaching institutes will remain shut till August 31.
• Cultural and religious activities, including large congregations, remain banned.
• Only essential activities will be allowed in containment zones, which will remain under lockdown.
• There will be no restriction on inter- and intra-state movement of people and goods, with no separate permissions or approvals required for such movements, according to the guidelines.

There were 52,123 new COVID-19 cases added July 30, reported news channel NDTV, citing data from the health ministry. This was the first time more than 50,000 cases were recorded across the country.

The total number of cases in the country are now inching closer to 1,600,000. There are 528,242 active cases in the country, with around 1,020,582 discharged.

There are now 17,189,755 COVID-19 cases globally, while 10,701,141 have recovered and 670,256 people have died due to COVID-19, as of July 30, 2020, according to the World Health Organization.