Gandhinagar, Jun 8 (IANS): On the Union government's guidelines for Unlock 1.0 beginning Monday, most of the temples, shopping malls, eateries, hotels and offices in Gujarat reopened after nearly 75 days with specific guidelines to be followed at these places.
Mosques, gurdwaras and churches were also reopened after sanitisation.
The Dwarkadhish temple in Devbhumi Dwarka, Somnath temple in Veraval, Shamlaji temple in Aravalli, ISKCON temple in Ahmedabad, Ambika temple in Surat, Balaji temple in Rajkot and temples in major places were opened for the public in Gujarat. Presence at some places was marked and at some places marginal.
The famous Bhadrakali and Camp Hanuman temples in Ahmedabad were not opened for being in containment zones. Ambaji temple in Banaskantha will not reopen till June 12 and Shaktipeeth temple in Bahucharaji and Jalaram temple in Virpur, both famous as pilgrimages will be reopened on June 15.
Circles have been drawn along the 'Darshan lines' at regular safe distances in temples from where the devotees can see the deity.
Eateries like hotels and restaurants were are also opened across the state from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Restaurants have been allowed to operate at 50 per cent capacity while maintaining social distancing at tables and the staff to wear hand gloves and masks all the time. Restaurants will have to sanitise tables after the customers leave.
Hotels have been allowed to operate round the clock and at full strength. However, entries and exits will not be allowed during curfew hours from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Shop owners in various malls across the state seemed happy reopening after two-and-a-half months. Shop owners were seen getting themselves and their places ready to welcome customers in Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot and other places in Gujarat. Shopping malls have been allowed to operate from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. too.