Photos: Delhi, Mumbai begin easing COVID-19 lockdowns

Commuters sit maintaining social distance inside the coach as the services of Delhi Metro resumes in New Delhi. India's capital New Delhi and financial hub, Mumbai, began a gradual easing of restrictions on Monday as coronavirus infections in the country fell to a two-month low.

Women walk past an open shop at Connaught Place after further ease in the COVID-19 lockdown in New Delhi, Monday, June 7, 2021. The Delhi government has allowed shops and malls to open on an odd-even basis and private offices with 50 per cent capacity as part of the phased unlocking process.

The vast spike saw India report record-breaking numbers of cases and deaths to become the second worst-hit nation after the United States with just under 29 million infections. Above, the massive crowd at Khari Baoli market as shops reopen after further ease in COVID lockdown, in Delhi, Monday.

Hospitals in the cities - which have a combined population of 40 million - were overwhelmed by a deadly COVID-19 wave in April and May, with severe shortages of oxygen and other critical medicines. Above, passengers at Old Delhi Metro Station after the resumption of the Delhi Metro services in a graded manner, in New Delhi.

A pedestrian walks past a mural representing awareness measures against the coronavirus's COVID-19 coronavirus, featuring a frontline medical staff as a guardian angel in Navi Mumbai.

A staff member wearing protective gear attends a customer after personal grooming services were allowed to resume at a hair saloon in Mumbai.

"We have to stay safe from coronavirus infections and also bring the economy back on track," Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted Monday as some shops and malls reopened. Above, customers purchase jewellery as the shop reopened at the Bazaar Chitli Qabar after further ease in the COVID-19 lockdown in New Delhi.

People wearing face masks as a precaution against the coronavirus stand in a queue as they wait at a bus stop in Mumbai.

People seen traveling through Delhi Metro as it resumes its services after COVID-19 lockdown, in New Delhi.

People wearing face masks as a precaution against the coronavirus stand in a queue as they wait at a bus stop in Mumbai.

Commuters wait to board the metro at a station after the services were allowed to operate at 50 percent capacity in New Delhi.

A medic inoculates the dose of the COVID19 vaccine during a drive-in vaccination inaugurated by Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia in New Delhi.

Traffic jam at Mulund Toll Naka after unlocking of COVID-19 lockdown began in a phased manner, in Mumbai.