Lockdown extended till June 30, 2020 only for containment zones. All activities to be relaxed in phased manner outside containment zones, as per health ministry guidelines
By Varun Singh
There’s some good news for those who were eagerly waiting for the lockdown to get over.
The ministry of home affairs headed by Amit Shah came out a fresh order on Saturday. The order specifically says that from June 1, 2020 there will be lockdown only in containment zones.
Unlock1 will relax all activities that were prohibited in a phased manner.
Not only this, the state governments also have allowed to impose restrictions/prohibit activities as per assessment.
All activities that were prohibited earlier will be opened up in areas outside Containment Zones in a phased manner, with the stipulation of following Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), to be prescribed by the Health Ministry.
In Phase I, religious places, hotels, restaurants and other hospitality services; and shopping malls; will be permitted to open from June 8. SOPs to be issued for ensuring social distancing and to contain the spread of COVID-19.
In Phase II, schools, colleges, educational/ training/ coaching institutions etc., will be opened after consultations with States and UTs. Based on the feedback, a decision on the re-opening of these institutions will be taken in the month of July, 2020.
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; and, social/ political/ sports/ entertainment/ academic/ cultural/ religious functions/ and other large congregations.
In Phase III, dates for their opening will be decided based on assessment of the situation.
Night Curfew, between 9 pm to 5 am shall be effective, throughout the country except for essential services.
Lockdown shall continue in containment zones till June 30, local district administration shall demarcate containment zones.
In containment zones only essential services shall be allowed.
States may also identify buffer zones, outside the containment zones, where new cases are more likely to occur. The district administration may put necessary restrictions here.
There shall be no restrictions for inter-state or intra-state travel and no special permit including e-permit will be required for travel. But a state may impose restrictions on travel if the need arises.
Persons above 65-year, pregnant woman and children below 10 year are advised to stay at home.
Wearing of masks is compulsory in public places, work place and during transport. Consumption of alcohol, paan and Gurkha in public places is prohibited.
