Pune: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is ready to reopen the gardens and parks across the city in phased manner for Punekars from Sunday. With number of activities banned by the Garden Department of the administration, visitors will need to practice strict rules of social distancing. The use of the common ground, lawn, open gym is banned.

The administration had shut all its parks and gardens for the people when the first phase of lockdown started in March in the wake of spread of COVID-19. While some gardens were reopened for few weeks in June but were closed after people failed to maintain social distancing there.

Pune Municipal Commissioner Vikram Kumar in his order said the gardens will be open for two-hour periods in the morning and evening, from 6 am to 8 am and from 5 pm to 7 pm respectively. It will be compulsory to follow guidelines on social distancing. “No other activity other than personal exercise, such as walking, jogging with practice of maintaining social distancing, will be permitted in the garden,” the order read.

Meanwhile, PMC has also decided not to permit any festival related events in the garden.

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CHECK THE GUIDELINES BELOW

· Gardens will remain open between 6 am to 8 am; 5 pm to 7 pm

· Yoga classes, festival programme, group activities, laughing clubs is not allowed.

· Children below 10 years, senior citizens above 65 years are not allowed to visit.

· Mandatory uses of mask and social distancing.