Relaxation in weekend lockdown in Noida for Rakshabandhan; shops selling sweets, rakhi allowed to open

In a relief to people celebrating Rakshabandhan on July 3, the Gautam Buddh Nagar administration in Uttar Pradesh has allowed sweet shops rakhi vendors to open on this weekend during statewide 2-day lockdown. 

A two-day weekend lockdown is in place in Uttar Pradesh from 10 PM on Friday to 5 AM on Monday every week. However, in view of Rakshabandhan on upcoming Monday, the district administration in Noida has relaxed the rules. 

Sweet shops and those selling rakhis outside containment zones can conduct business during the weekend, district officials said.

District Magistrate Suhas LY asked residents and shopkeepers to take all precautionary measures such as maintaining social distancing and wearing face covers during outdoor activities. 

Besides shops offering these two items, all non-essential shops will be closed on Saturday and Sunday. 

The restrictions were put in place earlier this month to contain the spread of coronavirus in the state. 

The coronavirus tally in Uttar Pradesh crossed 85,000 on Friday after the highest single-day spike of 4,453 cases. The fatality count rose by 43 to 1,630. 

"In the past 24 hours, 4,453 fresh cases of COVID-19 cases were detected," Additional Chief Secretary (Medical and Health) Amit Mohan Prasad said. 

This has taken the infection tally to 85,261 in the state, he added. 

Gautam Buddha Nagar recorded 133 new COVID-19 cases, taking the tally in the district to 5,203. The district has so far recorded 42 deaths linked to COVID-19. 

There are currently 796 active cases in the district.