Unlock 5.0 guidelines out: What is allowed and what is not
New Delhi, Sep 30: India on Wednesday issued fresh guidelines of lockdown in 'Unlock 5.0', allowing opening up of more activities in areas outside the containment zones, marking gradual opening of the country and economy amid coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak.
As per the new guidelines, Cinemas, theatres, multiplexes will be permitted to open with up to 50 per cent of their seating capacity, for which, SOP will be issued by Information and Broadcasting Ministry, the Central Government said.
What are the regulations for gatherings under Unlock 5.0?
Here's what is allowed in Unlock 5.0:
Activities permitted from 15th October 2020, in areas outside the Containment Zones
- Cinemas/ theatres/ multiplexes will be permitted to open with upto 50% of their seating capacity, for which, SOP will be issued by Ministry of Information & Broadcasting.
- Business to Business (B2B) Exhibitions will be permitted to open, for which, SOP will be issued by the Department of Commerce.
- Swimming pools being used for training of sportspersons will be permitted to open, for which the standard operating procedure (SOP) will be issued by Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (MoYA&S).
- Entertainment parks and similar places will be permitted to open, for which the SOP will be issued by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW).
Opening of Schools, colleges, education institutions and coaching institutions
- For re-opening of schools and coaching institutions, State/ UT Governments have been given the flexibility to take a decision after 15th October 2020, in a graded manner. The decision shall be taken in consultation with the respective school/ institution management, based on their assessment of the situation, and subject to the following conditions:
- Online/ distance learning shall continue to be the preferred mode of teaching and shall be encouraged.
-
Where
schools
are
conducting
online
classes,
and
some
students
prefer
to
attend
online
classes
rather
than
physically
attend
school,
they
may
be
permitted
to
do
so.
Students may attend schools/ institutions only with the written consent of parents.
Attendance must not be enforced, and must depend entirely on parental consent.
States /UTs will prepare their own SOP regarding health and safety precautions for reopening of schools/ institutions based on the SOP to be issued by Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), Ministry of Education, Government of India, keeping local requirements in view. - Schools, which are allowed to open, will have to mandatorily follow the SOP to be issued by Education Departments of States/ UTs.
- Department of Higher Education (DHE), Ministry of Education may take a decision on the timing of the opening of Colleges/ Higher Education Institutions, in consultation with Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), based on the assessment of the situation. Online/ distance learning shall continue to be the preferred mode of teaching and shall be encouraged.
- However, Higher Education Institutions only for research scholars (Ph.D) and post-graduate students in science and technology stream requiring laboratory/ experimental works will be permitted to open from 15th October, 2020, as under:
For
Centrally
Funded
Higher
Education
Institutions,
the
Head
of
Institution
will
satisfy
herself/
himself
that
there
is
a
genuine
requirement
of
research
scholars
(Ph.D)
and
post-graduate
students
in
science
and
technology
stream
for
laboratory/experimental
works.
For
all
other
Higher
Education
Institutions
e.g.
State
Universities,
Private
Universities
etc.,
they
may
open
only
for
research
scholars
(Ph.D)
and
postgraduate
students
in
science
and
technology
stream
requiring
laboratory/experimental
works
as
per
decision
to
be
taken
by
the
respective
State/UT
Governments.
Unlock 5.0 guidelines: Cinema halls, multiplexes, swimming pools to partially open from Oct 15
Regulation of gatherings
- Social/ academic/ sports/ entertainment/ cultural/ religious/ political functions and other congregations have already been permitted with a ceiling of 100 persons, outside Containment Zones only. Now State/ UT Governments have been given the flexibility to permit such gatherings beyond the limit of 100 persons, outside Containment Zones, after 15th October 2020, which will be subject to the following conditions:
- In closed spaces, a maximum of 50% of the hall capacity will be allowed, with a ceiling of 200 persons. Wearing of face masks, maintaining social distancing, provision for thermal scanning and use of hand wash or sanitizer will be mandatory.
- In open spaces, keeping the size of the ground/ space in view, and with strict observance of social distancing, mandatory wearing of face masks, provision for thermal scanning and hand wash or sanitizer.
To ensure that such gatherings do not spread COVID-19, State/ UT Governments will issue detailed SOPs to regulate such gathering, and strictly enforce the same.
-
All
activities,
except
the
following,
shall
be
permitted
outside
containment
zones:
International air travel of passengers, except as permitted by MHA.
Lockdown shall continue to be implemented strictly in the Containment Zones till 31st October, 2020. - Containment Zones shall be demarcated by the District authorities at micro level after taking into consideration the guidelines of MoHFW with the objective of effectively breaking the chain of transmission. Strict containment measures will be enforced in these containment zones and only essential activities will be allowed.
- Within the containment zones, strict perimeter control shall be maintained and only essential activities allowed.
- These Containment Zones will be notified on the websites of the respective District Collectors and by the States/ UTs and information will also be shared with MOHFW.
States not to impose any local lockdown outside Containment Zones
- State/ UT Governments shall not impose any local lockdown (State/ District/ sub-division/City/ village level), outside the containment zones, without prior consultation with the Central Government.
No restriction on Inter-State and intra-State movement
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.
Recommended Video
National Directives for COVID-19 management
National Directives for COVID-19 management shall continue to be followed throughout the country, with a view to ensure social distancing. Shops will need to maintain adequate physical distancing among customers. MHA will monitor the effective implementation of National Directives.
Protection for vulnerable persons
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.
Use of Aarogya Setu
The use of Aarogya Setu mobile application will continue to be encouraged.