NEW DELHI : With the fourth stage of the Covid-19 lockdown coming to an end on September 30, speculation abounds that the Ministry of the Interior (MHA) may announce the next phase: Unlock 5.0, which is supposed to start from 1 October. Unlock 5.0 will likely witness a series of relaxations as the holiday season is just around the corner.
During the Unblock 4 phase, which began on September 1, the Center gave several significant relaxations, including the resumption of Metro services for the first time since late March and the partial reopening of schools for classes 9 to 12.
Although the central government has yet to announce the Unlock 5.0 guidelines, the MHA is expected to open more activities to the public in the next phase of easing restrictions.
Previously, the government has hinted that restrictions will be eased in the coming days and that activities will be allowed slowly in areas outside of the containment zones.
Here’s what to expect in the Unlock 5.0 guidelines:
Economic activities
Maintaining social distancing, more economic activities can be allowed from October 1. In early September, restaurants, shopping malls, salons, and gyms were allowed to resume services.
This time, in a virtual meeting with senior ministers, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had emphasized re-evaluating containments and closures in a way that slows the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. Prime Minister Modi further said that because of this, economic activities should not face any problems.
Cinemas
During Unlock 4, the MHA did not allow the resumption of movie theaters, unless only open-air cinemas resumed operations as of September 21.
However, in August, the secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Amit Khare, had given the Ministry of the Interior a layout formula for movie theaters. According to the plan, alternate seats in the first row and the next would remain vacant to maintain physical distancing.
Meanwhile, Bengal became the first state to announce the resumption of movie theaters, all musical, dance, recital and magic shows starting October 1, with a minimum of 50 participants or less.
Academic
For students in classes 9 and 10, schools have already started on a voluntary basis. Elementary classes will likely remain closed and the same will continue through online mode as well.
Meanwhile, universities and colleges have started taking entrance exams and the new academic year can begin through online classes.
Tourism sector
The tourism sector, which is still struggling to recover from the losses suffered in the last five months of lockdown, can finally open its doors to travelers. A few days ago, the Uttarakhand government also allowed tourists to enter the state without any negative reports of coronavirus or institutional quarantine rules.
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