Unlock 1: Culture Ministry Permits Over 800 ASI Monuments Having 'Places Of Worship' To Open From June 8

Earlier this week, Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) issued a Standard Operating Protocol (SOP) for reopening offices, hotels, shopping malls, restaurants and religious places across India from June 8.

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Along with malls, shopping centres and restaurants, people will also be able to visit some of the monuments as Union Culture Ministry on Sunday gave a nod on reopening of over 800 centrally protected monuments from June 8, with the condition of 'having places of worship'.

Union Minister Prahlad Patel took to the micro-blogging site to announce the development that Culture Ministry has approved the opening of 820 of its living monuments under the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) which has places of worship. ALSO RAED | Rahul Gandhi Accuses Centre Of Failed Lockdown; Backs Claim With Data

"Today, the Culture Ministry has approved the opening of 820 of its living monuments under the ASI from June 8. All protocols issued by the MHA and the Health Ministry will be followed," Prahlad Patel tweeted.

आज संस्कृति मंत्रालय ने भारतीय पुरातत्व सर्वेक्षण विभाग के संरक्षित ८२० सक्रिय गतिविधियों वाले स्मारकों को ८जून से खोलने की स्वीकृति दी है।गृह एवं स्वास्थ्य मंत्रालय के नि्र्देशो का पालन हो यही अपेक्षा है @PMOIndia @BJP4MP @incredibleindia @MinOfCultureGoI @BJP4India @

— Prahlad Singh Patel (@prahladspatel) June 7, 2020

There are as many as 3,691 ASI maintained monuments protected by the central government which have been shut since March 17 in view of the coronavirus pandemic. Among these, 820 are set to open from Monday. According to the reports, of the 820 monuments which have places of worship, 114 are from the northern region, 155 from the central region, 120 from the western region, 279 from the southern region and around 100 from the eastern region.

Earlier this week, Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) issued a Standard Operating Protocol (SOP) for reopening offices, hotels, shopping malls, restaurants and religious places across India from June 8. READ HERE | Shopping Malls To Reopen From June 8: Govt Guidelines For Visitors, Management In 15 Points

Sharing the guidelines to be followed in shopping malls, restaurants and hotels, the government stated that certain rules are must for everyone to follow. These measures include staggering visitors and temperature screenings at malls. The thermal screening will be mandatory at entrance gates and all visitors will have to wear masks or cover their faces inside malls, restaurants and hotels.

(With inputs from PTI news agency)