The fourth phase of the Covid-19 curb relaxes went into effect on Tuesday (September 1). Called Unblocking 4, this phase seeks to bring normal life throughout the country to pre-coronavirus levels.
In the announced guidelines for Unlock 4, the Center has allowed for the resumption of metro services and the cancellation of electronic pass requirements for interdistrict travel.
Schools and universities will also remain closed. The Center has asked state governments not to enforce the blockade without prior consultation. But, some state governments have taken to expand existing restrictions.
For example, the Delhi government decided on Monday to maintain the status quo on prohibited activities until September 2 in the national capital.
In an order, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority said the government has reviewed the current Covid-19 situation and that it has been considered continuing restrictions on those activities that are currently not allowed in the city.
While gyms have not been allowed to reopen in the city, the weekly markets have been allowed to run on a trial basis until September 6.
Maharashtra, which has had the highest number of Covid-19 cases, lifted the restriction on inter-district movement of people and goods, saying that an electronic pass will not be required to undertake such a journey starting on September 2.
At the same time, the government said that the general lockdown in the state will continue until September 30 as part of efforts to curb the spread of Covid-19.
The state government has also increased attendance at its offices and allowed hotels and hostels to operate at 100% capacity as of September 2, but schools, universities, movie theaters and swimming pools will remain closed until September 30. September.
In Tamil Nadu, all places of worship will open from today. “Under relaxed rules, no full shutdown will apply on Sundays in September. The electronic pass system for interdistrict travel will be discontinued. All places of worship, hotels and resorts were allowed to reopen, ”said Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami.
In Odisha, the state government on Monday lifted lockdown restrictions for September and announced its guidelines for Unlock 4. Open-air theaters will be allowed to open in the state after September 21. The order of the state government said that no authority will impose any local confinement in district, subdivision, city or lower levels outside the containment zones. However, whenever necessary in the interests of containing the disease and preventing the spread of infection, restrictions may be placed on mobility, congregation, the operation of shops and establishments, offices and other activities in consultation with the central government Chief Secretary AK Tripathy said in an order.
Venues that will be closed to the public in Odisha include religious venues, movie theaters, swimming pools, entertainment complexes, auditoriums and function rooms. These will remain closed until September 30.
Meanwhile, in West Bengal, the state government has taken a cautious approach in the wake of the growing number of Covid-19 cases. A full statewide lockdown will be imposed on September 7, 11 and 12 to contain the spread of the infection, Chief Secretary Rajiva Sinha said on Monday.
The order issued by Sinha also said that the blockade will extend into the containment zones in West Bengal until September 30.
The Madhya Pradesh government announced Monday the withdrawal of the state lockdown on Sundays, but movie theaters and swimming pools will remain closed until September 30.
Covid-19 testing will not be mandatory for all those who wish to enter Goa from September 1 and bar-restaurants may open, although they will have to follow the guidelines issued by the Uniojn Interior Ministry, said Monday the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.
Here’s a look at the things allowed by the home ministry during Unlock 4:
• The Delhi Metro is expected to resume its services to the public from 7 September on a “phased” basis, according to the guidelines of the Union Ministry of the Interior. More details on the operation and use of the metro by the public will be shared soon. Authorities are working to ensure that all Covid-19 protocols are in place before operations are resumed. Passengers will be subjected to a thermal scan before boarding the metro.
• The bars, which have been closed since March, will also open from September 1.
• In a significant directive, the Interior Ministry said that state governments will not impose any local blockades outside the containment zones without prior consultation with the central government.
• The latest guidelines will allow you to meet more people. All social, academic, sports, entertainment, cultural, religious and political functions will be allowed with a cap of 100 people, although this will take effect from September 21.
• However, the ban on international commercial passenger flights to and from India has been extended until September 30, except for the exceptions mentioned by the government. The restriction will not apply to operations and international flights exclusively cargo, according to the office of the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
Schools and colleges will be closed during the Unlock 4 period. However, students in classes 9-12 will be allowed to visit schools in areas outside of the containment zones only on a voluntary basis to receive guidance from their teachers.
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