The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA,) on the 27th of October, announced an extension to the Unlock 5.0.
The guidelines for the Novel Coronavirus Unlock in India were issued on the 30th of September.
On Tuesday the MHA extended the guidelines for re opening the country.
There are no fresh changes and all major activities have already been allowed but strict lockdown will continue in containment zones.
Here is a look at the re opening guidelines:
Re-opening of activities outside containment zones:
Majority of activities are opened up in areas outside containment zones since the first lockdown by the MHA on the 24th of March.
While most activities have been permitted, some involving large gatherings have been allowed with some restrictions and subject to the standard operating procedures (SOPs.)
Malls, restaurants, cinema halls, intra state and inter state travel, railways, religious places, airways, gyms and swimming pools are also operational with SOPs.
State governments and administrations of Union territories have been permitted to make decisions for their re opening, based on the assessment of the situation and subject to SOPs.
These include schools and coaching institutes and state and private universities for research scholars allowing gatherings above the limit of 100 etc.
Activities permitted but with certain restrictions:
The MHA said that further decisions regarding these activities will be taken based on the assessment of the situation.
International air travel of passengers as permitted by the MHA.
Swimming pools being used for training of sportspersons
Exhibitions halls for business to business (B2B) purposes
Cinemas, theatres and multiplexes up to 50% of their seating capacity
Social, academic, sports, entertainment, cultural, religious, political functions and other congregations, in closed spaces with a maximum of 50% of the hall capacity and subject to a ceiling of 200 people
Covid-19 appropriate behaviour
The MHA has already advised chief secretaries and administrators of all states and Union territories that they should endeavour to promote COVID-19 appropriate behaviour “extensively at the grass-root level and take measures to enforce the wearing of masks, hand hygiene and social distancing.”
The MHA said, “The essence behind graded re-opening and progressive resumption of activities is to move ahead. However, it does not mean the end of the pandemic. There is a need to exercise abundant caution by adopting COVID-19 appropriate behaviour by every citizen in their daily routine.”
It further added, “A ‘Jan Andolan’ was launched by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi on 8th October 2020 on COVID-19 appropriate behaviour to follow three mantras, namely: wear your mask properly; wash your hands frequently; and maintain a safe distance of 6 feet.”
Strict enforcement of lockdown in containment zones till the 30th of November has been announced.
Whereas same guidelines of Unlock 5.0., would be followed in non containment zones till the 30th of November.
Stay tuned for further updates.
