Unlock 3 guidelines: No schools, metro, cinema till Aug 31; Gyms allowed

The Home Ministry on Wednesday issued `Unlock 3' guidelines removing restrictions on the movement of individuals during the night (night curfew) and allowing Yoga institutes and gymnasiums to open from August 5 while schools, metro and cinema halls will continue to remain closed.

New Delhi: The nationwide Unlock 3 guidelines were on Wednesday issued by the government, opening up more activities outside the containment zones, but schools, colleges, metro rail service, cinema halls along with bars will continue to remain shut till August 31 and political and religious gatherings will also remain prohibited.

The guidelines said that Independence Day functions will be allowed with social distancing and by following other health protocols, e.g., wearing of masks and mandatory use of hand sanitisers.

“After extensive consultation with States and UTs, it has been decided that schools, colleges and coaching institutions will remain closed till August 31,” the guidelines issued by the MHA said.

Unlock 3 guidelines

The new guidelines for opening up of more activities in areas outside the Containment Zones, in Unlock 3, which will come into effect from August 1, said that the process of phased re-opening of activities has been extended further.

“The new guidelines, issued today, are based on feedback received from States and UTs, and extensive consultations held with related Central Ministries and Departments,” it said.

Unlock 3 guidelines

It said that Yoga institutes and gymnasiums will be allowed to open from August 5. In this regard, Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) will be issued by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) for ensuring social distancing and to contain the spread of COVID-19.

International air travel of passengers has been permitted in a limited manner under the Vande Bharat mission. Further opening-up will take place in a calibrated manner.

Restrictions continue on all activities such as the use of swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, bars, auditoriums, assembly halls and similar places, social, political, sports, religious functions and other large congregations.

“Dates for the opening of these will be decided separately, based on the assessment of the situation,” the guidelines said.

It said that lockdown shall continue to be implemented strictly in the Containment Zones till 31 August. Containment Zones are required to be carefully demarcated by the State and UT Governments with a view to contain the spread of COVID-19, after taking into consideration the guidelines issued by MOHFW.

Within the containment zones, strict perimeter control shall be maintained and only essential activities allowed.

Containment Zones will be notified on the websites of the respective District Collectors and by the States, UTs and information will also be shared with MOHFW.

Activities in the Containment Zones shall be monitored strictly by State and UT authorities, and the guidelines relating to containment measures in these zones shall be strictly implemented.

MOHFW will monitor the proper delineation of Containment Zones and implementation of the containment measures, the guidelines said.

States to decide on activities outside Containment Zones, it said.

States and UTs, based on their assessment of the situation, may prohibit certain activities outside the Containment zones, or impose such restrictions as deemed necessary. However, there shall be no restriction on inter-State and intra-State movement of persons and goods. No separate permission, approval, e-permit will be required for such movements.

It said that National Directives for COVID-19 management shall continue to be followed throughout the country, with a view to ensure social distancing. Shops will need to maintain adequate physical distancing among customers. MHA will monitor the effective implementation of National Directives, the guidelines said.

It said that vulnerable persons, i.e., persons above 65 years of age, persons with co-morbidities, pregnant women, and children below the age of 10 years, are advised to stay at home, except for meeting essential requirements and for health purposes.

The Ministry said that the use of the Aarogya Setu mobile application needs to be encouraged.