New Delhi: The Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday released a set of fresh guidelines under its Unlock 5 plans to kickstart the economy with a bevvy of additional relaxations.
The guidelines issued after consultations with state government and UTs gave permission to reopen cinemas, theatres, multiplexes with up to 50 per cent of their seating capacity from October 15 onwards.
For this, a separate SOP will be issued by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, the MHA said.
The MHA in its guidelines said that Business to Business (B2B) exhibitions will be permitted to open, for which, SOP will be issued by the Department of Commerce.
“Swimming pools being used for training of sportspersons will be permitted to open. Entertainment parks and similar places will be permitted to open,” said the MHA in its guidelines.
As far as reopening of schools, colleges, educational institutions and coaching institutions are concerned, the Home Ministry has given the flexibility to state and UT Governments and accordingly a decision can be taken after October 15 in a graded manner.
“The decision shall be taken in consultation with the respective schools, institution management, based on their assessment of the situation,” the guidelines said.
It, however, said that online, distance learning shall continue to be the preferred mode of teaching and shall be encouraged.
“Where schools are conducting online classes, and some students prefer to attend online classes rather than physically attend school, they may be permitted to do so. Students may attend schools, institutions only with the written consent of parents. Attendance must not be enforced, and must depend entirely on parental consent,” the MHA said.
States and UTs will prepare their own SOP regarding health and safety precautions for reopening of schools and institutions based on the SOP to be issued by the Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL) of the Education Ministry, keeping local requirements in view.
Schools, which are allowed to open, will have to mandatorily follow the SOP to be issued by Education Departments of states and UTs.
The Department of Higher Education (DHE) may take a decision on the timing of the opening of Colleges, Higher Education Institutions, in consultation with MHA, based on the assessment of the situation.
“Online, distance learning shall continue to be the preferred mode of teaching and shall be encouraged,” the MHA said.
However, Higher Education Institutions only for research scholars (PhD) and post-graduate students in science and technology streams requiring laboratory/ experimental works will be permitted to open from October 15.
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For Centrally Funded Higher Education Institutions, the Head of Institution will satisfy herself-himself that there is a genuine requirement of research scholars (PhD) and post-graduate students in science and technology stream for laboratory, experimental works.
Referring to large gatherings, the MHA said that social, academic, sports, entertainment, cultural, religious, political functions and other congregations have already been permitted with a ceiling of 100 persons, outside containment zones only.
“Now State and UT Governments have been given the flexibility to permit such gatherings beyond the limit of 100 persons, outside containment zones, after October 15.
Such gatherings, however, need to follow certain conditions like in closed spaces, a maximum of 50 per cent of the hall capacity will be allowed, with a ceiling of 200 persons.
Wearing of face masks, maintaining social distancing, provision for thermal scanning and use of hand wash or sanitizer will be mandatory.
In open spaces, keeping the size of the ground, space in the view, and with strict observance of social distancing, the mandatory wearing of face masks, provision for thermal scanning and hand wash or sanitizer.
To ensure that such gatherings do not spread COVID-19, State, UT Governments will issue detailed SOPs to regulate such gatherings and strictly enforce the same.
The MHA guidelines barred the international air travel of passengers, except as permitted by MHA. Entertainment parks and similar places will remain closed. Lockdown shall continue to be implemented strictly in the Containment Zones till October 31, the MHA said.
The MHA guidelines reiterated that States will not impose any local lockdown outside Containment Zones.
“State and UT Governments shall not impose any local lockdown (State/ District/ sub-division/City/ village level), outside the containment zones, without prior consultation with the Central Government. 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. No separate permission/ approval/ e-permit will be required for such movements,” the MHA said in its guidelines.
The MHA said that the 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.
It further 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.
Notably, the MHA also reiterated to promote the use of Aarogya Setu.
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