Shopping centers will be allowed to remain open outside containment zones under Unlock2 (File)
New Delhi:
The Interior Ministry today announced new guidelines for Unlock2 that will take effect from Wednesday to July 31. Places of worship, hotels, restaurants and shopping centers will be allowed to remain open outside containment zones. The night curfew hours will be more relaxed and will be applied from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
The brakes on the recovery of metro services, schools, colleges, gymnasiums and movie theaters will continue under Unlock2.
Here is the full text of the center’s press release on Unlock2 guidelines:
The Union’s Department of Home Affairs (MHA) has released new guidelines for Unlock 2 to open more activities in areas outside of containment areas. The new guidelines will come into effect on July 1, 2020, the process of gradually reopening activities has been extended. The new guidelines, released today, are based on comments received from states and UTs and on extensive consultations with the relevant ministries and central departments.
As stipulated in the Unlock Order1 and the directives published on May 30, certain activities, such as religious places and public places of worship; hotels, restaurants and other hospitality services; and shopping centers; have already been authorized from June 8 outside containment zones. Detailed standard operating procedures (SOPs) have also been published.
Main features of the new Unlock 2 guidelines
- Domestic flights and passenger trains have already been authorized on a limited basis. Their operations will be further scaled up.
- The night curfew hours are becoming more relaxed and the curfew will be in effect from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- In addition, flexibility was granted to the night curfew for the smooth operation of industrial units in multiple shifts, the movement of people and goods on national and national roads, the loading and unloading of goods and the movement of people to their destinations after disembarking from buses, trains and planes. .
- The stores, depending on their region, can have more than 5 people at a time. However, they must maintain an adequate physical distance.
- Central and state government training institutions will be allowed to operate from July 15, 2020. SOPs in this regard will be issued by the Indian Government’s Personnel and Training Department.
- After extensive consultation with states and UTs, it has been decided that schools, colleges and coaching establishments will remain closed until July 31, 2020.
- International air transport of passengers has been authorized on a limited basis as part of the Vande Bharat mission. The opening will continue in a calibrated manner.
- All activities except the following are permitted outside the containment areas:
- Metro Rail.
- Cinemas, gymnasiums, swimming pools, leisure parks, theaters, bars, auditoriums, meeting rooms and similar places.
- Social / political / sporting / entertainment / academic / cultural / religious functions and other large congregations.
The opening dates of these will be decided separately, based on the assessment of the situation.
- Lockout will continue to be strictly enforced in containment areas until July 31.
- Containment areas must be carefully demarcated by state / UT governments to contain the spread of COVID-19, after considering guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW). In containment zones, strict perimeter control must be maintained and only essential activities must be authorized.
- These containment zones will be notified on the websites of the respective district collectors and by the States / UT and the information will also be shared with the MOHFW.
- Activities in containment areas must be strictly controlled by state / UT authorities and guidelines for containment measures in these areas must be strictly enforced.
- The MOHFW will monitor the appropriate demarcation of the containment areas and the implementation of the containment measures.
States decide activities outside containment zones
- States and UTs, depending on their assessment of the situation, may prohibit certain activities outside the containment zones, or impose restrictions deemed necessary.
- However, there are no restrictions on the interstate and intra-state movement of people and goods. No separate authorization / approval / electronic authorization will be required for such movements.
Night curfew
- The night curfew will remain in effect between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., except for essential activities and other moments of relaxation given in release 2.
National guidelines for the management of COVID-19
- National guidelines for the management of COVID-19 will continue to be followed across the country, with a view to ensuring social distancing. Stores will need to maintain an adequate physical distance between customers. MHA will monitor the effective implementation of national directives.
Protection of vulnerable people
- Vulnerable people, i.e. people over 65, people with co-morbidities, pregnant women and children under 10 are invited to stay at home, except to meet requirements essential and for health purposes.
Use of Aarogya Setu
- Use of the Aarogya Setu mobile app will continue to be encouraged.
