NEW DELHI: In an attempt to curb restrictions such as “weekend closings“Seen as damage to the economy still reeling under Covid, the Unblocking 4.0 guidelines released by the Center on Saturday oblige states and UT to consult the Center before imposing any local lockdowns on areas other than buffer zones. .
This guideline, according to Interior Ministry sources, was necessary to ensure that supply chains are not interrupted by “arbitrary” blockades imposed at the district or city level, which tend to negatively affect the free interstate and intrastate movement of goods. Merchants associations have also taken up arms during the weekend restrictions in particular, protesting the adverse impact on businesses.
In important relaxations, the city’s Metro trains will operate with services that will resume in a staggered manner from September 7, while bars and restaurants will be able to serve liquors to customers from the same September 1. As of September 21, social, religious, academic, sports, entertainment, religious and political functions with maximum congregation 100 people will be allowed in non-containment areas, subject to regulations. Wedding functions and funerals, which can currently have a maximum of 50 and 20 attendees respectively, will also have a raised ceiling of 100 attendees after September 20.
While schools and universities will be closed until September 30, there is a relaxation for students from Class 9 to Class 12 who can visit the schools for guidance from teachers but with written permission from parents, while schools can call 50% of the teaching staff and other staff as of September 21. Graduate students and those who need to conduct research and use laboratories will be able to attend institutions of higher education. However, all of this will be subject to standard operating procedures issued by the Ministry of Health.
The rules will go into effect from September 1 to 30. The notice about local closures may not sit well with some opposition-run states that have been following their versions of containment, which vary between cities and districts in terms of the extent of the restrictions.
“The Interior Ministry received representations from industry associations such as Ficci and IIC against ‘local’ blockades, citing their adverse impact on supply chains and the resumption of large-scale economic activity. The guidelines do not prohibit the state from imposing local blockades They only require the Center to be consulted before imposing them, ”said an official.
While movie theaters, swimming pools, entertainment brands, and theaters will be closed, open-air theaters may resume beginning September 21.
With guidelines that lift the ban on public consumption of liquor, tobacco products and gutka, bars can finally open their counters and restaurants can serve liquor starting September 1.
Allowing up to 100 people to attend a public function will aid physical campaigns and the holding of rallies and public meetings for the upcoming Bihar elections and other by-elections, to be announced next month. The Election Commission has already allowed physical campaigns with due adherence to MHA guidelines and subject to a social distancing of a minimum of six feet.
However, the lockdown will continue to be strictly enforced in the containment zones until September 30.
Beginning September 21, entrepreneurship and skills training institutes, including Industrial Training Institutes, will be allowed to operate, international air travel will be prohibited, except where permitted by the MHA.
Older people and children under the age of 10 have been advised to continue to stay home except to meet essential needs. National Covid-19 regulations still mandate wearing face masks, keeping “do gaj ki doori” in public places, and require stores to ensure physical distancing between customers. The practice of “work from home” should be encouraged where possible.
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