HYDERABAD: It’s finally shuttering up for Hyderabad’s lung spaces and nightlife, both of which have been shut for the last six months due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
While the city’s clubs and bars opened its doors to patrons on Friday evening itself, urban parks, including the Kasu Brahmananda Reddy National Park (KBR), will be accessible to morning walkers from Saturday onwards.
Visits to the Nehru Zoological Park will be allowed from October 6, announced Allola Indrakaran Reddy, minister for forests, environment, and justice.
Reddy is said to have earlier approached Union minister Prakash Javadekar to open up urban forest parks in view of public health at a meeting of forest and environment ministers from all states. In its order on clubs and tourism bars in the government allowed them to open with immediate effect, but directed permit rooms to stay closed until further orders. It also rolled out a list of conditions to be followed by these establishments. These include installing ‘non-touch infrared thermometers/thermal screening at the entrance’, following ‘proper queue management and hygiene conditions’, and thorough sanitization twice a day. It also banned gatherings, musical events, and the use of dance floors.
“We welcome this move and thank the government for supporting us during this unprecedented crisis. The industry can finally get back on its feet now,” said Dheeraj Melwani, president, Hyderabad Restro-Lounges Association. He added: “We have already re-organized our premises to abide by social distancing norms and will follow all other rules prescribed by the government.”
Parks under the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation limits would open their gates on Saturday, said
additional commissioner (urban biodiversity wing) of GHMC, V Krishna. “Residents can catch a breath of
fresh air at Indira Park, Jalagam Vengal Rao Park, and other such parks in GHMC jurisdiction,” he said.