NEW DELHI– India’s central state of Madhya Pradesh, yesterday, became the first state in the country to lift all COVID-19 restrictions.
However, COVID-19 Appropriate Behaviour (CAB), including wearing masks and ensuring social distancing, will continue to be observed by people in the state.
Madhya Pradesh State Chief Minister, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, said, the pandemic was under control as only five new cases were reported in 24 hours, and the number of active cases also fell to 78.
“We are keeping a constant watch over the situation. As I said, the situation is under control now, we have decided to lift all restrictions with effect from today,” said the chief minister.
Now all activities, including political, social, sports, entertainment, cultural and religious, will take place at full capacity in the state, he said, and added that, weddings can take place with as many guests as wished by the families.
The announcement assumes significance, in the wake of the ongoing wedding season in the country, which began on Nov 14. According to an estimate, nearly 2.5 million weddings are expected to take place over the next month across the country, incurring a cost of over 40 billion U.S. dollars.
At the fairs, it would be mandatory that all shopkeepers must have taken both doses of COVID-19 vaccines, said the chief minister, adding that, the same would be expected from general shopkeepers in other rural and urban areas.
Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK