Puducherry, June 30(BPNS)

The Puducherry government has extended lockdown till midnight of July 15 with some relaxation. The beach road, park, and gardens will be opened for walkers till 9 pm on all days.  The administration in a statement announced this on Wednesday.

Religious places and places of worship shall be opened for the public for darshan till 9 pm. However essential poojas and rituals can be conducted by priests or employees of the respective religious places.

Congregation at the place of worship will not be allowed. Bars and restaurants within the hotels, guest houses and lodges, and other standalone eateries are permitted to operate with 50% capacity till 9 pm. Retail liquor shops and arrack vends will be allowed from 9 am to 9 pm.

Ashok Kumar, Member Secretary, Puducherry state executive committee said that if the positivity rate of the infection, number of active cases, and growth rate increases, then the markets, market complexes, malls, and bars shall be closed without any loss of time to prevent any increase in the pandemic.