Unlock-4 starts in the country from today, know the directions of Unlock-4
Unlock-4 has started from today, so know that what is open and what is banned. Ministry of Home Affairs has released the Order and Guidelines for Phased Re-Opening of Unlock-4 for opening up of more activities in areas outside the Containment Zones have been issued.
In Unlock-4, which will come into effect from 1st September, 2020, the process of phased re-opening of activities has been extended further, Lockdown, however, shall continue to be implemented strictly in the Containment Zones till 30th September 2020. Containment zones shall be demarcated by the District Authorities at micro level with strict perimeter control and strict enforcement of containment measures as per guidelines of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW).
1. Activities permitted during Unlock-4 period outside the Containment Zones
In ares outside the Containment Zones, all actives will be permitted, except the following:
(i) Schools, colleges, educational and coaching institutions will continue to remain closed for students and regular class activity up to 30th September 2020. However, following will be permitted:
a. Online/distance learning shall continue to be permitted and shall be encouraged.
b. State/UTs may permitted upto 50% of teaching and non-teaching staff to be called to the schools at a time for online teaching/tele-counselling and related work, in areas outside the Containment zones only, with effect from 21st September 2020 for which, Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) will be issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW).
c. Students of classes 9 to 12 may be permitted to visit their schools, in areas outside the Containment Zones only, on voluntary basis, for taking guidance from their teachers. This will be subject to written consent of their parents / guardians and will be permitted with effect from 21st September 2020 for which, SOP will be issued by MoHFW.
d. Skill or Entrepreneurship training will be permitted in National Skill Training Institutes, Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), Short term training centres registered with National Skill Development Corporation or State Skill Development Missions or other Ministries of Government of India or State Governments.
National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD), Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE) and their training providers will also be permitted.
These will be permitted with effect from 21st September 2020 for which, SOP will be issued by MoHFW.
e. Higher Education Institutions only for research scholars (Ph.D.) and post-graduate students of technical and professional programmes requiring laboratory / experimental works. These will be permitted by the Department of Higher Education (DHE) in consultation with MHA, bases on the assessment of the situation, and keeping in view incidence of COVID-19 in the States/UTs.
(ii) Metro rail, will be allowed to operate with effect from 7th September 2020 in a graded manner, by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MOHUA) / Ministry of Railways (MOR), in consultation with MHA. In this regard, SOP will be issued by MOHUA.
(iii) Social/academic/sports/entertainment/cultural/religious/political functions and other congregations with a ceiling of 100 persons, will be permitted with effect from 21st September 2020, with mandatory wearing of face masks, social distancing, provision for thermal scanning and hand wash or sanitizer.
However, marriage related gatherings with number of guests not exceeding 50 and funeral/ last rites related gatherings with number of persons not exceeding 20 will continue to be allowed upto 20th September 2020, after which the ceiling of 100 persons will apply.
(iv) Cinema halls, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres and similar places will remain closed, However, open air theatres will be permitted to open with effect from 21st September 2020.
(v) International air travel of passengers, except as permitted by MHA.
2. National Directives for COVID-19 Management
National Directives for COVID-19 Management as specified in Annexure I, shall continue to be followed throughout the country.
3. Lockdown limited to Containment Zones
(i) Lockdown shall remain in force in the Containment Zones till 30th September 2020.
(ii) Containment Zones shall be demarcated by the District authorities at micro level after taking consideration the guidelines of MoHFW with the objective of effectively breaking the chain of transmission. Strict containment measures will be enforced in these containment zones and only essential activities will be allowed. There shall be strict perimeter control to ensure that there is no movement of people in or out of these zones, except for medical emergencies and for maintaining supply of essential goods and services. In the Containment Zones, there shall be intensive contact tracing, house-to-house surveillance, and other clinical interventions, as required. Guidelines of MoHFW shall be effectively implemented for the above purpose.
(iii) These Containment Zones will be notified on the websites by the respective District Collectors and by the States/UTs and information will be shared with MoHFW.
4. State/UT Governments shall not impose any local lockdown (state/District/Sub-division/City level), outside the containment zones, without prior consultation with the Central Government.
5. No restriction on Inter-State and Intra-State movement
There shall be no restriction on Inter-State and intra-State movement of persons and goods including those for cross land-border trade under Treaties with neighbouring countries. No separate permission/approval/e-permit will be required for such movements.
6. Movement of persons with SOPs
Movement by passenger trains; domestic passenger air travel; movement of persons on Vande Bharat and Air Transport Bubble flights; and sign-on and sign-off of Indian seafarers will continue to be regulated as per SOPs issued.
Source: MHA