Places of worship, malls and restaurants to open from June 8, except in containment zones - MHA
New Delhi: The MHA order dated March 24 imposed a nationwide lockdown during which only essential activities were permitted. Subsequent to that, the lockdown 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0 were relaxed gradually keeping the objective of containing the spread of COVID-19 in view.
With lockdown 5.0 looming, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has implemented it in containment zones until June 30, but fresh guidelines have been issued for phased re-opening of areas outside these zones. Revival of economy will be point of focus in current phase of re-opening, which will be in effect from June 1 till June 30. The MHA has said containment zones will be demarcated by state government after taking into consideration the guidelines issued by the Health Ministry. The new guidelines have been issued after extensive consultations were held with States and Union Territories.
SALIENT FEATURES OF THE NEW GUIDELINES
All activities that were prohibited during Lockdown 4.0 will be opened up in areas outside Containment Zones in a phased manner, with the stipulation of following Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), to be prescribed by the Health Ministry.
In Phase 1, religious places and places of worship for public; hotels, restaurants and other hospitality services; and shopping malls; will be permitted to open from June 8. The health ministry will issue SOPs for the above activities, in consultation with the Central Ministries/Departments concerned and other stakeholders, for ensuring social distancing and to contain the spread of COVID-19.
In Phase 2, all schools, colleges, educational/training/coaching institutions etc., will be opened after consultations with States and UTs. State Governments/UT administrations have been advised to hold consultations at the institution level with parents and other stakeholders. Based on the feedback received, a decision on the re-opening of these institutions will be taken in July. The ministry will prepare and issue fresh SOPs for these institutions.
Only a limited number of activities will remain prohibited throughout the country. These activities include international air travel, metro rail operations, cinema halls, gymnasiums, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, bars, auditoriums, assembly halls and similar places; and, social/ political/ sports/ entertainment/ academic/ cultural/ religious functions/ and other large congregations. The dates for opening these services will be declared in Phase 3, based on assessment of the situation.
Lockdown 5.0 shall continue to be implemented strictly in the containment zones. These will be demarcated by the State/UT Governments, after taking into consideration the guidelines issued by the Health Ministry. Within the containment zones, strict perimeter control shall be maintained and only essential activities will be allowed.
There shall be no restriction on inter-State and intra-state movement of persons and goods. No separate permission/approval/e-permit will be required for such movements. However, if a State/ UT, based on reasons of public health and its assessment of the situation, proposes to regulate movement of persons, it will give wide publicity in advance regarding the restrictions to be placed on such movement, and the related procedures would have to be followed.
NIGHT CURFEW
Night Curfew shall continue to remain in force, on the movement of individuals, for all non-essential activities. However, the revised timings of the curfew will be from 9 pm to 5 am. National Directives for COVID-19 management shall continue to be followed throughout the country, with a view to ensure social distancing.
States and UTs, based on their assessment of the situation, may prohibit certain activities outside the Containment zones, or impose such restrictions as deemed necessary.
Vulnerable persons, i.e., persons above 65 years of age, persons with co-morbidities, pregnant women, and children below the age of 10 years, are advised to stay at home, except for meeting essential requirements and for health purposes. With a view to ensure safety, various authorities have been advised to encourage the use of the Aarogya Setu application.