Delhi, Mumbai loosen lockdowns as India virus crisis eases in cities

Delhi, Mumbai loosen lockdowns as India virus crisis eases in cities

NEW DELHI: India's capital New Delhi and financial hub Mumbai began a gradual easing of restrictions yesterday as coronavirus infections in the country fell to a two-month low. Hospitals in the cities “” which have a combined population of some 40 million “” were overwhelmed by a deadly COVID-19 wave in April and May, with severe shortages of oxygen and other critical medicines. The huge spike saw India report record-breaking numbers of cases and deaths to become the second worst-hit nation after the United States with just under 29 million infections.

Authorities in Delhi and Mumbai, as well as other cities and states, had imposed restrictions on movement and activities to combat the surge. "We have to stay safe from coronavirus infections and also bring the economy back on track,“ Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted Monday as some shops and malls reopened.

The city's metro services were operating at 50 percent capacity and roads quickly filled up with vehicles, but local shopping areas remained quiet. The northern city was reporting an average of 25,000 daily cases during its peak. It fell to 381 infections on Sunday, officials said. Kejriwal also announced that city officials would conduct door-to-door visits to enrol people