Updated: September 27, 2020 6:35:44 pm
Graffiti for Coronavirus Aware People in New Delhi
While several restrictions have been relaxed in different phases of ‘Unblocking’ since June, the Union Home Office is scheduled to present new guidelines for October, which has a meaning as it marks the beginning of the long festive season. Last month, the Interior Ministry had said that more relaxations and the opening of more activities in areas outside the containment zones would gradually be allowed. With Industries that expect a strong rebound in consumer demand. This holiday season, further easing of restrictions is expected.
What relaxations are expected in ‘Unlock 5’ for October?
While other public places such as shopping centers, beauty salons, restaurants, gyms have been allowed to operate with restrictions, movie theaters, swimming pools and entertainment parks have not yet received the go-ahead. It remains to be seen whether movie theaters are given the go-ahead to reopen from October amid fervent requests from the Multiplex Association of India. Only the open-air theaters could start operations as of September 21.
Visitors enjoy the Sector 17 plaza in Chandigarh
In fact, West Bengal has become the first state to allow the operation of movie theaters from October 1 with a limited number of participants. “To return to normality, Jatras, Plays, OATs, Cinemas and all musical, dance, recital and magic shows will be able to run with 50 participants or less from October 1, subject to compliance with the physical distance rules , the use of masks and the observance of precautionary protocols, ”said Bengal’s Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee.
Last month, the secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Amit Khare, suggested to the Union Ministry of the Interior the formula for the arrangement of the sessions. According to the plan, the alternate seats in the first row and in the next row could remain vacant and continue in this way at all times.
Last week, a report claimed that the Interior Ministry ordered cinemas to reopen from October 1 with strict regulations. However, a fact check by the Press Information Office (PIB) has disproved the reports.
“Claim: A media report has claimed that the Interior Ministry has ordered the reopening of movie theaters across the country as of October 1 with the imposition of strict regulations. #PIBFactCheck – This assertion is #Fake. @HMOIndia has not yet made any decision on the reopening of movie theaters, “reads a tweet from GDP.
Health workers in protective suits during the collection of swabs for the COVID-19 test inside a movie theater in Calcutta (Express photo by Partha Paul)
Possible boost for the battered tourism sector
The pandemic and subsequent closures have hit the tourism sector the hardest and in Unlock 5, more resorts and tourist spots may open their doors for travelers.
The Sikkim government has decided to allow hotels, home stays and other tourism-related services to resume operations from October 10. The state has also decided to open its border with West Bengal for the unrestricted movement of vehicles from 1 October.
Kerala tourism may also reopen in October and the modalities were discussed in a meeting between the representatives of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) with the tourism minister Kadakampally Surendran.
the The Uttarakhand government has also lifted Covid-19 restrictions for tourists. Under the revised set of guidelines, tourists are no longer required to carry a negative coronavirus report. In addition, the requirement of a mandatory stay of a minimum of two days in a hotel or homestay has also been removed.
A health worker sorts samples for Covid-19 testing at a government dispensary in New Delhi (Express photo by Amit Mehra)
On Sunday, the Odisha government announced that it would reopen all tourist destinations starting in October. Tourism Minister JP Panigrahi said his department had prepared a master plan to promote various destinations in the
been to attract tourists. “We have decided to reopen all tourist spots starting in October with strict compliance with health security guidelines in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic,” PTI quoted Panigrahi.
What relaxations were allowed in ‘Unlock 4’?
In the fourth phase of ‘Unlock’, the government had allowed subway services to resume while allowing seniors in classes 9 to 12 to attend schools on a voluntary basis. Social, academic, sports, entertainment, cultural, religious and political functions were allowed with a maximum of 100 people from the previous 50. In addition, professional or business training was allowed in the National Institutes of Vocational Training and the Institutes of Industrial Training.
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