New Delhi [India], May 30 (ANI): Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Saturday issued new guidelines for phased re-opening of “all activities outside containment zones for the next one month beginning June 1”.
“The guidelines will come into effect from June 1, 2020 and will be effective till June 30, 2020. The current phase of re-opening, Unlock 1, will have an economic focus,” MHA said in a release. The country is under the fourth phase of lockdown which will continue till May 31.
The lockdown was first enforced in March to contain the spread of COVID-19. The nationwide lockdown that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi had first announced on March 24 was slated to end on May 17.
Modi had on March 24 announced the nationwide lockdown for 21 days. On May 14, the government extended the lockdown till May 3.
On May 1, the MHAÂ further extended the lockdown period to two weeks beyond May 4, with some relaxations. The Central government had also announced Rs 20 lakh crore stimulus package to combat COVID-19.
Unrestricted movement of persons, goods allowed
The Centre on Saturday issued new guidelines under which “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,” as per the MHAÂ guidelines. “However, if a State/ UT, based on reasons of public health and its assessment of the situation, proposes to regulate the movement of persons, it will give wide publicity in advance regarding the restrictions to be placed on such movement, and the related procedures to be followed,” said the MHAÂ .
According to the new guidelines for phased re-opening of areas outside the containment zones under which “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.”
MHA issues national directives for COVID-19 management
The Ministry of Home Affairs on Saturday issued national directives for coronavirus management, including compulsory use of face masks and social distancing norms.
The guidelines for the phased re-opening — Unlock 1 — of the nationwide lockdown will come into effect from June 1, 2020, and will be effective till June 30, 2020.
“Face coverings are compulsory in public places, workplaces and during transport. Individuals must maintain a minimum distance of 6 feet in public places.
Shops will ensure physical distancing among customers and will not allow more than 5 persons at a time,” read the directives.
While large public gatherings and congregations continue to remain prohibited, the MHAÂ has ordered that not more than 50 people can attend marriage related gatherings and only 20 people will be allowed for funerals.
Additional rules and regulations have been issued for workplaces . “As far as possible the practice of Work from Home should be followed.
Staggering of work/business hours will be followed in offices, workplaces, shops, markets and industrial and commercial establishments.
Provision for thermal scanning, hand wash and sanitizer will be made at all entry and exit points and common areas,” read the directives.
The MHAÂ said that frequent sanitisation should be conducted for entire workplace, common facilities and all points which come into human contact, including between shifts.
“All persons in charge of workplaces will ensure adequate distance between workers, adequate gaps between shifts, staggering the lunch breaks of staff, etc,” the directives read.
Continuing with its earlier order, the MHAÂ said that spitting in public places will be punishable with fine and consumption of liquor, paan, gutka, tobacco etc in public places is prohibited.
Limited activities including international air travel, Metro, gyms, swimming pools to be prohibited
Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Saturday said the dates for the opening of international air travel of passengers, operation of metro rail, cinema halls, gymnasiums, swimming pools, entertainment parks will be decided based on the assessment of the situation in Phase III of #Unlock1.
MHAÂ said that only a limited number of activities would remain prohibited throughout the country during #Unlock1Â , which will come into effect from June 1 and will be effective till June 30.
“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 the assessment of the situation,” said MHAÂ in a release. According to new guidelines of MHA, “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, as per the MHAguidelines.
“However, if a State/ UT, based on reasons of public health and its assessment of the situation, proposes to regulate the movement of persons, it will give wide publicity in advance regarding the restrictions to be placed on such movement, and the related procedures to be followed,” said the MHAÂ .
According to the new guidelines for phased re-opening of areas outside the containment zones under which “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.”
MHA said that the Health Ministry will issue SOPs for all permitted activities in consultation with Central Ministries Departments concerned for phased re-opening./
Religious places, hotels, restaurants, malls to open from June 8
Religious places and places of worship for public, hotels, restaurants and other hospitality services along with shopping malls will be permitted to open from June 8, said the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHAÂ ) on Saturday.
However, these facilities will not be able to resume operations inside containment zones designated by authorities in states, said a government notification.
“In Phase I, religious places and places of worship for public, hotels, restaurants and other hospitality services, and shopping malls will be permitted to open from June 8, 2020,” said the MHAÂ , which issued new guidelines today for phased re-opening of all activities outside the containment zones (Unlock 1).
In a press release, MHA said that the Health Ministry will issue Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)for all permitted activities in consultation with the Central Ministries/Departments concerned and other stakeholders, for ensuring social distancing and to contain the spread of COVID-19. The guidelines will come into effect from June 1, 2020, and will be effective till June 30, 2020.
MHAÂ order of March 24, 2020, imposed a strict lockdown throughout the country. Only essential activities were permitted.
All other activities were prohibited. Subsequently, in a graded manner and keeping the overarching objective of containing the spread of COVID-19 in view, the lockdown measures have been relaxed. “New guidelines have been issued today based on extensive consultations held with States and UTs,” said the MHA.
As per the new guidelines, “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.”
“However, if a State/UT, based on reasons of public health and its assessment of the situation, proposes to regulate the movement of persons, it will give wide publicity in advance regarding the restrictions to be placed on such movement, and the related procedures to be followed,” said the MHAÂ .
Decision on re-opening educational, coaching institutions in July
Union Ministry of Home Affairs( MHAÂ ) on Saturday said that schools, colleges, educational/training/coaching institutions will be opened after consultation with States and UTs during Phase II of #Unlock1. MHAÂ said that based on the feedback of States and UTs, a decision on the re-opening of these institutions will be taken in July.
“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. Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) will prepare SOP for these institutions,” said the MHAÂ in a release.Â
Limited activities including international air travel, Metro, gyms, swimming pools to be prohibited
Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHAÂ ) on Saturday said the dates for the opening of international air travel of passengers, operation of metro rail, cinema halls, gymnasiums, swimming pools, entertainment parks will be decided based on the assessment of the situation in Phase III of #Unlock1.
MHAÂ said that only a limited number of activities would remain prohibited throughout the country during #Unlock1Â , which will come into effect from June 1 and will be effective till June 30. “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 the assessment of the situation,” said MHAÂ in a release.
According to new guidelines of MHAÂ , “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, as per the MHAguidelines.
“However, if a State/ UT, based on reasons of public health and its assessment of the situation, proposes to regulate the movement of persons, it will give wide publicity in advance regarding the restrictions to be placed on such movement, and the related procedures to be followed,” said the MHA.
According to the new guidelines for phased re-opening of areas outside the containment zones under which “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.”
