Lockdown restrictions ease in parts of India

Businesses in two of India's largest cities reopened on Monday as part of a phased easing of lockdown measures due to a decline in daily COVID-19 infections. India's capital allowed businesses and shops to reopen with limited hours and the Delhi Metro, which serves New Delhi and adjoining areas, also resumed operations at 50% capacity.

The strict lockdown measures had been in place since April at the start of a devastating surge in infections that lasted well into May and overwhelmed health care facilities in many parts of the country. Some health experts fear the restrictions are being eased too soon and there are concerns that the virus is still spreading unchecked through India's villages where testing and medical care is limited. Other Indian cities also started to gradually lift the lockdown rules. The government hopes the reopening could resuscitate an economy that grew at only a 1.6% annual rate in the January-March quarter.