A file photo shows employees in PPE suits disinfecting a movie theater in New Delhi. (AFP)
The Unlock 5 guidelines, which go into effect on October 1, have also established rules to regulate social and public gatherings.
- News18.com New Delhi
- Last update: September 30, 2020 11:11 PM IST
- FOLLOW US:
The Interior Ministry (MHA) issued new guidelines on Wednesday for the opening of more activities in areas outside of the containment zones. Cinemas, theaters and multiplexes were allowed to open with up to 50% of their seating capacity from October 15. Business to Business (B2B) exhibitions, swimming pools used for the training of athletes, entertainment parks and similar venues will be allowed. reopen too.
However, the MHA has stated that these activities will only be allowed in areas outside of the containment zones. “The new guidelines, issued today, are based on feedback received from states and UT, and extensive consultations with related ministries and central departments,” the MHA said in a statement. In the meantime, the lockdown will continue to be strictly enforced in the containment zones until October 31.
All of these activities came to a sudden halt after the national shutdown, first announced in March to halt the spread of the coronavirus infection. The blockade was extended by a few months in each successive phase, and the curbs were lifted later.
The Center has given state governments the flexibility to decide on the reopening of schools, colleges, educational institutions and training institutions after October 15 in a gradual manner. The new guidelines state that attendance should not be mandatory and parental consent is mandatory, adding that a choice of online classes should be given to those who do not yet wish to attend school.
The Unlock 5 guidelines, which will go into effect October 1, have also established rules to regulate social and public gatherings. While social / academic / sports / entertainment / cultural / religious / political functions and other congregations have already been allowed with a maximum limit of 100 people outside of the containment zones, the new rules allow this limit to exceed 100. This is ahead of The Bihar assembly election is scheduled to take place in three phases in October-November.
However, these meetings will be subject to several conditions:
– In closed spaces a maximum of 50% of the capacity of the room will be allowed, with a ceiling of 200 people. The use of face masks, the maintenance of social distancing, the provision for thermal scanning and the use of hand washing or disinfectant will be mandatory.
– In open spaces, keeping in sight the size of the land / space, and with strict observance of social distancing, mandatory use of face masks, provision for thermal scanning and hand washing or disinfectant.
– To ensure such gatherings do not spread COVID-19, state governments will issue detailed SOPs to regulate such gatherings and strictly enforce the rules.
Activities not yet permitted outside of the containment zones include international passenger air travel, except as permitted by the MHA.
The states will not impose any local blockades at any level, outside the containment zones, without consulting the central government. There will be no restriction on the interstate and intrastate movement of people and goods; no separate permission or approval or electronic permission will be needed for such a move.
The guidelines say that the containment zones will be delimited by the district authorities at the micro level, after taking into consideration the guidelines of the Ministry of Health, with the aim of effectively breaking the chain of transmission. Strict containment measures will be applied in these containment zones and only essential activities will be allowed.
Within containment zones, strict perimeter control will be maintained and only essential activities will be allowed.
The containment zones will be notified on the websites of their respective district collectors and by the states.
.
