Unlock 1.0 Guidelines: In recent, the government has extended coronavirus lockdown till June 30. New guidelines have been issued for phased-reopening of all activities outside containment zones for the next one month.
Termed as ‘Unlock 1’, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said that the lockdown measures have been relaxed in a graded manner, keeping the overarching objective of containing the spread of COVID-19 in view.
The new MHA guidelines are as follows:
All activities that were prohibited earlier 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, I, religious places and places of worship for the public; hotels, restaurants and other hospitality services; and shopping malls; will be permitted to open from June 8, 2020. 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 II, schools, colleges, educational/ training/ coaching institutions etc., will be opened after consultations with States and UTs. State Governments/ UT administrations are being advised to hold consultations at the institution level with parents and other stakeholders. Based on the feedback, a decision on the re-opening of these institutions will be taken in the month of July 2020. MoHFW will prepare SOP for these institutions.
- Only a limited number of activities will remain prohibited throughout the country. These activities are International air travel of passengers; operation of Metro Rail; cinema halls, gymnasiums, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, bars and auditoriums, assembly halls and similar places; and, social/ political/ sports/ entertainment/ academic/ cultural/ religious functions/ and other large congregations. In Phase III, dates for their opening will be decided based on an assessment of the situation.
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.
Unlock 1: States to decide on activities outside Containment Zones
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.
Lockdown 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.
Lockdown extended in containment zones till June 30
Everyone will continue to be expected to wear masks, maintain social distancing and exercise personal hygiene. Apart from this, the ministry of Health and Family welfare will issue standard operating procedures for all new openings.
