Unlock 1.0: MHA announces phased reopening outside containment zone up to 30th June; Issues new guidelines

INDIA: As India prepares to exit lockdown 4.0 on 31st May, Ministry of Home affairs announced the extension of nationwide lockdown in containment zones upto 30th June on Saturday. Additionally, Government issued a new guidelines for phased re-opening of all activities outside containment zones for the next one month.

The Ministry of Home Affairs 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.

UNLOCK 1.0 NEW GUIDELINES:

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. 
• 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

PHASE II

• Schools, colleges, educational/ training/ coaching institutions etc., will be opened after consultations with States and UTs.
  

PHASE III

• Only a limited number of activities will remain prohibited throughout the country. 
• 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 will remain prohibited

Lockdown to continue in Containment zones till 30th June:

Lockdown shall continue to be implemented strictly in the containment zones till June 30 with only essential activities that will be allowed. These will be demarcated by the State/ UT Governments, after taking into consideration the guidelines issued by the Health Ministry.  Within the containment zones, strict perimeter control shall be maintained and only essential activities allowed.  

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. 

Night curfew:

However, Movement of individuals shall remain strictly prohibited between 9 pm to 5 am throughout the country, except for essential activities.

Unrestricted movement of persons and goods

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 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. 

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 like wearing of face covering remain compulsory, spitting in public places strictly prohibited, Not more than 50 people and 20 people allowed in marriage & funeral gathering respectively. Thermal screening at all entry and exit points is mandatory. etc.

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 Aarogya Setu mobile application is a powerful tool built by Government of India to facilitate quick identification of persons infected by COVID-19, or at risk of being infected, thus acting as a shield for individuals and the community.  With a view to ensure safety, various authorities are advised to encourage the use of the application.

Here is the full order of MHA new guidelines: