Chandigarh: In the wake of Coronavirus pandemic, the Haryana government on Friday announced to uplift the weekend restrictions and rather order shops and malls of urban areas to remain closed on on every Monday and Tuesday. However, the shops dealing with essential goods and services shall continue to operate as per the earlier guidelines.

ALSO READ | Govt Allows In-Flight Meals; 'No-Fly' List For Those Without Masks | Check Latest Air Travel Rules

In an official order issued today, the state authorities said, "To contain further spread of COVID-19 in Haryana, shopping malls and shops, except those dealing with essential goods and services shall remain closed on Monday and Tuesday in the market places of urban areas of the state.

Accordingly, there is no bar on opening of shops and shopping malls on Saturday and Sunday in these areas. These orders will be applicable till further orders."

The recent amendments in the lockdown guidelines have come just a week after the state government had re-imposed weekend lockdown restrictions, ordering that all shops and offices will remain shut on Saturdays and Sundays.

As on Thursday, Haryana recorded 1,293 new cases and 12 new COVID-19 related deaths. With this, state's total COVID-19 count raced to 59,298 with as many as 646 fatalities so far.

ALSO READ | Parliament's Monsoon Session: Question Hour & Zero Hour To Be Dropped? Adhir Ranjan Writes To Speaker Seeking Continuation

Witnessing several politicians and government functionaries contracting COVID-19 infections, the state government on August 27 imposed restrictions on entry to the Haryana Civil Secretariat.

Earlier this week, Haryana Cheif Minister Manohar Lal Khttar took to twitter and announced that he had tested positive for Coronavirus. The CM said that he had undergone the test on Monday evening and his reports came positive for COVID-19.