No prasads, holy waters or singing in religious places: Centre's new guidelines for unlock 1.0

In a bid to set the economy of the country rolling, the central government last Saturday, despite a continuous surge in Covid-19 cases, limited the lockdown to only containment zones (where maximum positive cases are reported) till Jun 30.

Besides religious places, hotels, restaurants, hospitality services, shopping malls- outside the containment zones-can open up for services from Jun 8.

After remaining closed since Mar 25, several religious places will open up from Monday across the country.

In its new directives, the Centre has prohibited a large gathering of crowds inside the places of worship, besides restricting offerings and receiving prasad, vermillion dots or holy water.

Only asymptomatic people wearing masks would be allowed after washing their hands and feet with soap.

The government has made it mandatory for playing audio/video clips inside the premises spreading the awareness on the highly contagious virus.

Advocating separate entry and exits for visitors, the guidelines also directs the devotees to maintain physical distancing of a minimum of 6 feet at all times when queuing up for entry.

Touching of statues, idols, icons or holy books are not allowed.

The guideline also prohibits common mats to be used for prayers stating people should bring their own mats for the same.

Devotees have been asked to keep their shoes inside the cars or at individual slots.

As far as feasible, recorded devotional music or songs may be played and choir or singing groups should not be allowed, the guidelines said.

COVID-19 cases surge:

Meanwhile, India on Thursday registered the biggest daily spike in the Covid-19 cases with the report of 9,304 new infections in the last  24 hours taking the tally of Novel Coronavirus close to 2.17 lakhs.

As per the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare data, India's Covid tally touched 2,16,919 cases.

6,075 people have died due to the pandemic virus which has no vaccine as of yet.