Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in India (June–December 2020)

Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in India from June to December 2020

The timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in India from June to December 2020 details the significant events and developments in the country as it responded to the ongoing pandemic. This period was marked by a series of lockdowns, public health measures, and the gradual reopening of the economy.

June 2020

Animated map showing total COVID-19 cases in India

In June 2020, India witnessed a rapid increase in COVID-19 cases. The government continued to implement containment zones and extended the nationwide lockdown in containment areas while easing restrictions in other regions. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare issued guidelines for the phased reopening of activities outside containment zones, termed "Unlock 1.0."

Key Events

• **June 1**: "Unlock 1.0" began, allowing malls, restaurants, and places of worship to reopen with strict social distancing measures.
• **June 8**: The government permitted the resumption of domestic flights and train services.
• **June 30**: India recorded over 5.8 lakh confirmed cases, with Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Delhi being the worst affected states.

July 2020

Graph showing COVID-19 cases in India

July saw a further surge in cases, prompting several states to reimpose lockdowns in high-risk areas. The government launched "Unlock 2.0," which continued to relax restrictions while emphasizing the importance of wearing masks and maintaining social distancing.

Key Events

• **July 1**: "Unlock 2.0" commenced, with night curfews relaxed and more businesses allowed to operate.
• **July 15**: Bihar announced a complete lockdown until July 31 due to rising cases.
• **July 31**: India surpassed 16 lakh confirmed cases, with a significant increase in testing capacity.

August 2020

In August, India became the third country to surpass 2 million COVID-19 cases. The government introduced "Unlock 3.0," which further eased restrictions, including the reopening of gyms and yoga centers.

Key Events

• **August 1**: "Unlock 3.0" began, with restrictions on movement and gatherings still in place.
• **August 15**: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation on Independence Day, highlighting the government's efforts to combat the pandemic.
• **August 31**: India recorded over 36 lakh cases, with a daily increase of over 70,000 cases.

September 2020

September marked a peak in daily cases, with India reporting the highest number of daily new cases globally. "Unlock 4.0" was introduced, allowing metro services to resume and further easing restrictions on gatherings.

Key Events

• **September 1**: "Unlock 4.0" began, with schools and colleges remaining closed.
• **September 16**: India reported over 97,000 new cases in a single day, the highest globally at that time.
• **September 30**: The total number of cases exceeded 62 lakh.

October 2020

Graph showing COVID-19 deaths in India

In October, the number of daily new cases began to decline, although the total number of cases continued to rise. "Unlock 5.0" was announced, allowing cinemas and entertainment parks to reopen with limited capacity.

Key Events

• **October 1**: "Unlock 5.0" commenced, with guidelines for reopening schools in a phased manner.
• **October 15**: Cinemas and multiplexes reopened with 50% seating capacity.
• **October 31**: India recorded over 82 lakh cases, with a significant decline in active cases.

November 2020

November saw a continued decline in daily cases, although certain states experienced localized spikes. The government focused on preparing for vaccine distribution.

Key Events

• **November 1**: The government announced guidelines for "Unlock 6.0," with further relaxations in restrictions.
• **November 15**: Delhi experienced a third wave of infections, prompting the reintroduction of certain restrictions.
• **November 30**: The total number of cases reached 94 lakh.

December 2020

In December, India prepared for the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines, with the government approving emergency use of certain vaccines.

Key Events

• **December 1**: The government announced plans for a nationwide vaccination drive.
• **December 15**: The Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech submitted applications for emergency use authorization of their vaccines.
• **December 31**: India ended the year with over 1 crore confirmed cases, with a focus on vaccination and continued public health measures.

Related pages

• COVID-19 pandemic in India
• COVID-19 pandemic
• Public health measures during the COVID-19 pandemic