With Covid-19 Cases Decreasing, India Eases Restrictions

Based on Worldometer data, the trend of Covid-19 cases in India began to subside after peaking on May 6, 2021. At that time, the Bollywood nation recorded a record 414,433 cases in a single day, with a total of 21,485,285 cases. India recorded 51,248 daily cases on Thursday, June 24, 2021.

One month after passing its peak, India's additional Covid-19 cases decreased by 87.6% between May 6 and June 24, 2021. Although the total death toll reached 393,338 cases last Thursday, the trend is also beginning to decline.

New concerns have emerged with the discovery of the Delta plus variant, first identified in India. The country found 40 cases of the Delta plus variant on Wednesday, June 23, 2021.

One ministry official, Elizabeth Puranam, stated that the Delta plus variant has distinct characteristics. These characteristics include increased transmissibility, stronger binding to lung cell receptors, and the potential for reduced antibody response, as quoted by Aljazeera.

Despite this, the Indian government has begun to relax restrictions due to Covid-19. The Taj Mahal, an Indian icon, for example, has reopened to the public under strict limitations. Only 650 people are allowed to enter the building. Under normal conditions, the Taj Mahal attracts around 20,000 people per day.