The Centre’s step-by-step opening up post-coronavirus lockdown is set to see major relaxations in Unlock 4.0. The guidelines issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs say that states can no longer impose lockdowns outside containment zones without the Centre’s permission and must not seal borders. The only activities expressly prohibited under the new guidelines are opening of cinema halls, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres (excluding open air theatres) and similar places with a high risk of spread of the virus. International air travel of passengers, except as permitted by the MHA, and train services will remain restricted.
Unlock 4.0 Guidelines
Unlock 4.0 guidelines: What’s allowed
- Metro services will resume from September 7, 2020 in a graded manner.
- Social/ academic/ sports/ entertainment/ cultural/ religious/ political functions and other congregations will be permitted with a ceiling of 100 people. However, strict measures including mandatory wearing of face masks, social distancing and thermal scanning provisions will have to be observed.
- Open air theatres will be allowed to reopen from September 21, 2020
- States/ Union Territories may permit upto 50% of teaching and non-teaching staff to return to schools from September 21 for online teaching related work in areas outside containment zones.
- Students from classes 9 to 12 from schools outside containment zones will be permitted to visit their faculty to clear doubts on a voluntary basis from September 21.
- No restrictions will be imposed on inter-state and intra-state movement of people and goods. No separate permission or e-permits will be needed for such movement.
Unlock 4.0 guidelines: What’s not allowed
- Schools, colleges, educational and coaching institutions will remain closed for students till September 30. Online/ distance learning will continue.
- States and union territories will not be permitted to enforce lockdowns outside containment zones without the Centre’s permission.
- Cinema halls, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres and other such places will remain closed.
- International air travel, other than what is permitted by MHA, remains suspended.
- Elderly people over the age of 65 and young children below 10 years of age, have been advised to stay at home. They should venture out only for essential and health purposes, the MHA has said.
Source: The Hindu
