Educational institutions to remain closed, decision on resuming Metro, cinema halls to be taken separately
Union Home Ministry on Wednesday issued new un-lockdown guidelines lifting night curfew from August 1 and deciding to open up Yoga institutes and gymnasium from August 5, but educational institutes will remained closed till August 31. The opening up of Metro trains, cinema halls, swimming pools, bars and allowing public gathering will decided separately.
The MHA also said the Independence Day celebrations will be conducted across the country as per earlier guidelines enforcing social distancing norms and avoiding large public congregations.
International air travel of passengers has been permitted in a limited manner under the Vande Bharat mission.
Further opening up will take place in a calibrated manner, said the MHA.
“Restrictions on movement of individuals during night (night curfew) have been removed. Yoga institutes and gymnasiums will be allowed to open from August 5, 2020. In this regard, Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) will be issued by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) for ensuring social distancing and to contain the spread of Covid-19.
“After extensive consultation with States and Union Territories, it has been decided that schools, colleges and coaching institutions will remain closed till August 31, 2020,” said MHA’s guidelines.
The guidelines said opening up of Metro trains, cinema halls, swimming pools, bars etc., and allowing public gathering for politico-social religious purposes will be decided separately. “All activities, except the following, shall be permitted outside containment zones: Metro Rail, cinema halls, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, bars, auditoriums, assembly halls and similar places. Social/ political/ sports/ entertainment/ academic/ cultural/ religious functions and other large congregations. Dates for opening of these will be decided separately, based on the assessment of the situation,” said the MHA.
The States has been authorised to demarcate the containment zones and the strict restrictions will continue in these areas till August 31. District Collectors are directed to notify the containment zones and upload in the national portal and co-ordinate with Union Health Ministry.
“Lockdown shall continue to be implemented strictly in the containment zones till August 31, 2020. Containment zones are required to be carefully demarcated by the State/ UT Governments with a view to contain the spread of Covid-19, after taking into consideration the guidelines issued by MOHFW. Within the containment zones, strict perimeter control shall be maintained and only essential activities allowed,” said the MHA, adding that States are authorised to decide on the activities outside the containment zones.
However the MHA said there should not be any block on the inter-State movements.
“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. However, 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,” said the guidelines.
It also said the 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.