Unlock 2: Schools, cinemas to remain shut; domestic flights trains to be expanded in calibrated way

PTI, Jun 30, 2020, 10:19 AM IST

New Delhi: More domestic flights and passenger trains will be allowed in a calibrated manner, as the government on Monday issued guidelines for the month-long ‘Unlock 2’ beginning July 1, while educational institutions, Metro Rail services, cinema halls and gyms will remain shut.

Issuing the guidelines, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said that the domestic and international flights (under the Vande Bharat Mission) and passenger trains have already been allowed in a limited manner and their operations will be further expanded in a calibrated manner.

The MHA said the new guidelines will come into effect from July 1 and the process of the phased reopening of activities has been extended further.

“The new guidelines, issued today, are based on feedback received from states and Union Territories, and extensive consultations held with related central ministries and departments,” according to the guidelines signed by Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla.

Night curfew shall remain in force, between 10 pm and 5 am, except for essential activities.

As stipulated in the ‘Unlock 1’ order and the guidelines issued on May 30, certain activities like religious places and places of worship for the public; hotels, restaurants, and other hospitality services, and shopping malls, have already been permitted from June 8 outside the containment zones.

The MHA said Metro Rail service, cinema halls, gymnasiums, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, bars, auditoriums, assembly halls, and similar places continue to remain shut.

Social, political, sports, entertainment, academic, cultural, religious functions and other large congregations are also continuing to be prohibited.

Dates for the opening of these will be decided separately, based on the assessment of the situation, the MHA said.
Lockdown shall remain implemented strictly in the containment zones till July 31.

Containment zones are required to be carefully demarcated by the state and union territory governments with a view to containing the spread of COVID-19, after taking into consideration the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW).

“Within the containment zones, strict perimeter control shall be maintained and only essential activities allowed,” the MHA said.

Further, relaxations in night curfew have been given for seamless operation of industrial units in multiple shifts, movement of people and goods on national and state highways, loading and unloading of cargo and movement of people to their destinations after disembarking from buses, trains, and airplanes.

Shops depending upon their area can have more than five people at a time. However, they have to maintain adequate physical distance.

Training institutions of the central and state governments will be allowed to function with effect from July 15. A standard operating procedure (SOP) in this regard will be issued by the Department of Personnel and Training of the central government.

The MHA said after extensive consultation with states and UTs, it has been decided that schools, colleges, and coaching institutions will remain closed till July 31.

Domestic flights and passenger trains have already been allowed in a limited manner. Their operations will be further expanded in a calibrated manner.

International air travel of passengers has been permitted in a limited manner under the Vande Bharat Mission. Further opening up will take place in a calibrated manner.

States and union territories, based on their assessment of the situation, may prohibit certain activities outside the containment zones, or impose such restrictions as deemed necessary.

However, there shall be no restriction on inter-state and intra-state movement of people and goods.

No separate permission in or approval or e-permit will be required for such movements.

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. The MHA will monitor the effective implementation of national directives.

Vulnerable people like those above 65 years of age, people with comorbidities, pregnant women, and children below the age of 10 years, are advised to stay indoors, except for meeting essential requirements and for health purposes.

The use of Aarogya Setu mobile application will be encouraged, the MHA said.

Movement by passenger and ‘Shramik Special’ trains, domestic passenger air travel, movement of Indian nationals stranded outside the country and of specified people to travel abroad, evacuation of foreign nationals and sign-on and sign-off of Indian seafarers will continue to be regulated as per SOPs issued.

Number of guests should not exceed 50 in a marriage while in funeral-related gatherings, the number of people should not exceed beyond 20.

Spitting in public places will be punishable with fine, as may be prescribed by a state or UT or local authorities in accordance with its laws, rules, or regulations.

The MHA said that consumption of liquor, paan, gutka, tobacco in public places is prohibited.

As far as possible the practice of work from home should be followed. Staggering of work or business hours will be followed in offices, workplaces, shops, markets, and industrial and commercial establishments.