Lockdown 5.0 updates: MHA’s guidelines for reopening of prohibited activities

NEW DELHI | May 30:

Home Ministry today issued new guidelines for reopening of prohibited activities in areas outside containment zones in a phased manner. The nationwide lock-down in containment zones has been extended up to 30th of next month, while guidelines have permitted phased reopening outside these zones.

Under the new guidelines, in phase one, the activities which will be allowed from 8th of next month are, religious places of worship for public, hotels, restaurants and other hospitality services and shopping malls.

Union Health Ministry will issue SOPs for these activities, in consultation with the Central Ministries and Departments concerned and other stakeholders for ensuring social distancing and to contain the spread of COVID-19.

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In the phase two,  schools, colleges, educational, training and coaching institutions will be opened after consultation with States and Union Territories. State Governments and Union Territory administrations are being advised to hold consultation at the institution level with parents and other stakeholders. Based on the feedback, a decision on the re-opening of these institutions will be taken in the month of July this year. 

Under the new guidelines, only a limited number of activities will remain prohibited throughout the country. These activities are  international air travel of passengers, operation of metro rail, cinema halls, gymnasiums, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, bars and auditoriums, assembly halls and similar places. 

Social, political, sports, entertainment, academic, cultural, religious functions, and other large congregation will also be prohibited.  In phase three, dates for opening of these activities will be decided based on assessment of the situation. 

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The Home Ministry said lockdown will continue to be implemented strictly in the containment zones. These will be demarcated by the State and Union Territory governments after taking into consideration the guidelines issued by the Health Ministry. Within the containment zones, strict perimeter control will be maintained and only essential activities allowed.

The night curfew will continue to remain in force, on the movement of individuals, for all non-essential activities. However, the revised timings of the curfew will be from 9 PM to 5 AM across the nation.