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India’s malls and restaurants reopen, amid record surge in coronavirus cases
- India has been easing out of lockdown, which began on March 25
- Official data on Monday showed a biggest single-day surge of infections
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India woke up to busy streets and crowded temples on Monday, as the country entered a new phase of reopening after a 10-week nationwide coronavirus lockdown.
Shopping centres, restaurants, hotels and places of worship were allowed to reopen. However, the development was marked by a surge in infections, leading India to overtake Italy and Spain to become the fifth worst-hit nation in the pandemic.
Nearly 10,000 new coronavirus cases were reported in India on Monday, its biggest daily spike since the outbreak began – an alarming sign the world’s second-most populated country after China could be reopening too soon.
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India had 256,611 confirmed cases after a new daily spike of 9,983. The country has recorded 7,135 deaths, according to India’s Health Ministry, although the actual number could be higher.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a nationwide lockdown on March 25 when India had 657 confirmed cases, bringing Asia’s second largest economy to a virtual standstill.
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Monday signals the next phase of the country’s lockdown relaxation after the government allowed trains and domestic flights to resume in May, and encouraged manufacturing activity to kick-start the economy.
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