In Pictures

Photos: Signs of normalcy in India after two years of COVID curbs

Two years after the world’s biggest lockdown to slow the pandemic, signs of normalcy return as infection rates fall.

Schoolchildren assemble for morning prayers after schools in the western state of Maharashtra reopened with full capacity. [Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters]

By Reuters

Nearly two years after India went into the world’s biggest lockdown to slow the spread of COVID-19, students are heading back to school across the vast country – a sign of normal life resuming as infection rates fall.

India’s daily coronavirus infections rose by less than 10,000 for a third straight day on Wednesday, a level last seen in late December before the rapid spread of the Omicron variant, data from the health ministry showed.

Last week, Maharashtra State Minister Aaditya Thackeray said schools in the state’s largest city, Mumbai, would resume pre-COVID attendance, reinstating all activities in view of declining cases.

India has fully vaccinated more than 765 million of its 940 million adult population and about 28 million teenagers aged 15-18, but has not started vaccinating children younger than 15.

In Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s home state of Gujarat, markets were back in full swing after a long hiatus.

Patrons streamed in to enjoy dinner and late-night snacks following the lifting of a curfew last week at Ahmedabad’s popular Manek Chowk, a market that transforms into a hawker centre after dusk.

Similar signs of life resuming its normal pace abound across the country.

Roads and trains are congested again as people return to offices, movie theatres are reporting a surge in foot traffic, and restaurants and gaming parlours are packed.

Commuters travel in a packed train in Mumbai, India — Commuters travel in a packed train in Mumbai. [Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters]

A combination picture shows a view of almost empty roads before the start of the lockdown by the West Bengal state government to limit the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Kolkata — A combination picture shows a view of nearly empty roads before the start of the lockdown in Kolkata, and after the lockdown was lifted. [Rupak De Chowdhuri/Reuters]

A combination picture shows Howrah bridge during a 14-hour curfew to limit the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the country, in Kolkata — A combination picture shows Kolkata's Howrah Bridge during a 14-hour COVID curfew, and the same place after the lockdown was lifted. [Rupak De Chowdhuri/Reuters]

A combination picture shows a nearly empty road next to Jama Masjid (Grand Mosque) during a 14-hour curfew to limit the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the country, in the old quarters of New Delhi — A combination picture shows a nearly empty road next to Jama Masjid (Grand Mosque) during a 14-hour curfew in the old quarters of New Delhi, and after the lockdown was lifted. [Anushree Fadnavis/Reuters]

Students leave school after a majority of schools were reopened following their closure due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in Ahmedabad, — Students leave school after a majority of schools were reopened in Ahmedabad, Gujarat state. [Amit Dave/Reuters]

Students play during recess at a school after a majority of schools were reopened following their closure due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in Ahmedabad, — Students play during recess at a school in Ahmedabad. [Amit Dave/Reuters]

People dine at a food hawker centre at Manek Chowk in Ahmedabad. [Amit Dave/Reuters]