Unlock 5: What are the changes taking place from today? All you need to know

Seven months to the lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, several restrictions will either be lifted or be slightly relaxed from November 1. Earlier on Tuesday, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued an order saying that the existing COVID-19 guidelines issued on September 30 for Unlock 5 will remain in force till November 30. 

Several major and minor changes that will be witnessed from November 1, will include re-opening national parks and safaris for the common public.

Increase in the number of pilgrims

From the 1st of November 15,000 pilgrims will be allowed to visit Mata Vaishno Devi temple per day. Jammu and Kashmir administration has increased this number from 7,000 to 15,000 during unlock 5. The shrine was reopened on August 16 after nearly five months to the outbreak of the coronavirus. Initially the administration had imposed a cap of 2,000 pilgrims daily, including 100 from outside Jammu and Kashmir. 

The registration of pilgrims will continue to be done online to avoid people gathering at the yatra registration counters, as per the Board officials.

Resume online bookings for HSRP and colour-coded stickers

The Delhi government will resume the online booking for the high-security registration plates and colour-coded stickers from November 1 on a trial basis in a few areas of the national capital.

In the new version of the website, which will be available for public from November 1, a single website URL, through SIAM, will be available for booking HSRP and colour coded stickers.

NIC will facilitate technical support for the website. After booking of HSRP or Colour - Coded Sticker, consumers will get a real-time update of each stage of the processing, through SMS. The customer will be notified of the same at least 2 days prior to the date of appointment so that there is no delay in delivery. 

The website will also enable the customer to avail for the facility of Home delivery of the plate. Besides this, passengers can travel on all seats of public transport buses from November 1 in Delhi. However, no passenger will be allowed to travel in a standing position.

National parks and Safaris to reopen

In a bid to boost tourism, the Uttar Pradesh government is reopening the national parks and safaris across the state from November 1. Earlier it was scheduled to open from November 15. 

According to the new Covid-19 guidelines, only tourists between the 11 to 64 years age-group would be allowed into the national parks.

Keeping in mind social distancing norms, elephant safari will not be allowed. However Jungle Safari on vehicle is permitted with just four tourists excluding the driver and the guide. No tourist would be allowed to walk during the jungle safari and the vehicle would be sanitized before and after every trip.

Home delivery of LPG Cylinders

Oil companies will implement Delivery Authentication Code (DAC) for the customers opting for home delivery of LPG Cylinders. From November 1, customers will be required to furnish a one-time password (OTP) to get their LPG Cylinders home delivered.

Delivery Authentication Code (DAC), as a pilot project is already underway in Jaipur in Rajasthan. It will be implemented in 100 smart cities first.

Customers who want home delivery of their LPG cylinders will get a code on their registered mobile number. Successful delivery of LPG Cylinders will only take place when the customers provide the OTP Code to the delivery person.

Indane has issued a new number for its gas booking which will now be a unified number and the customers can use this nationwide number for call and SMS – 7718955555.

Additional local trains for Mumbai

The Indian Railways will run 610 additional local trains in Mumbai from November 1. This is after Maharashtra government's letter to the Railways urging to open all local trains for general public in Mumbai. 

The step by Railways will reduce overcrowding in local trains amidst COVID-19 pandemic.

There will also be changes in the time table of trains across the country from November 1. The Delhi - Chandigarh Tejas Express will also return to the track from Sunday. It is one of the fastest trains in India covering the distance between Delhi and Chandigarh in just three hours.

Beach tourism restart in Kerala

The Kerala government is reopening its beaches for the tourists from November 1 on Kerala Piravi Day. Earlier on October 12 the state re-opened its hill stations, adventure resorts and backwater tourism centres including houseboats for the tourists.

Liquor outlets timing to increase in TN

The state-run liquor outlets in Tamil Nadu will function from 12 pm to 10 pm from November 1. The Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) retail shops were so far functioning from 8 pm to10 am due to the COVID-19 outbreak. 

 Goa casinos re-open

The casinos in Goa will resume operations from November 1 with 50 per cent capacity. They will have to follow all the SOPs as issued to them by the Home Department.