Haryana Government on Sunday announced the extension of statewide lockdown till June 7, with major relaxations given for the opening of shopping malls from 10 am to 6 pm.

The Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Sunday said after the request of shopkeepers, vendors and businessmen, it has also been decided to allow shops to open from 9 am to 3 pm on an odd-even basis.

Earlier, the permitted time was from 7 am to 12 pm.

Hotels are also allowed to open with the condition that no banquets or conferences will be permitted. Restaurants, bars in hotels will remain closed while room occupancy is allowed.

However, all colleges, coaching institutions, ITIs, libraries and training institutes whether government or private will remain closed upto June 15 while the Anganwadi and creches would continue to remain closed till June 30, the Chief Minister said.

He asid that the shopping malls have to follow the prescribed visitor and time limitations. As per the guidelines in the shopping mall, one person per area of 25 square metres would be allowed to remain present at one time. Likewise, the number of persons can vary as per the built-up area. The mall owners have to develop a mobile application to keep a check on entry and exit of people visiting the malls.

Further, the mall owners have been asked to formulate certain regulations for the same and get it approved from the concerned Deputy Commissioners, Khattar said.

The cinema halls, restaurants and bars located inside the malls will remain closed, he said.

The Chief Minister further said that directions were given to industries for continuing  their operations while following the COVID-19 appropriate behavior and  guidelines for the functioning of offices with 50 percent staff strength would continue.

The daily Corona curfew timing in the state will continue to be from 10 pm to 5 am, he added.