New Delhi: The Union Home Ministry (MHA) on Saturday said that states government cannot impose any local lockdown outside containment zones without prior consultation with the central government.
The MHA further said that metro rail will be allowed to operate with effect from September 7 in a graded manner.
Releasing the Unlock 4 guidelines, the home ministry said that metro services will be resumed by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Ministry of Railways (MoR), in consultation with MHA.
“In this regard, Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) will be issued by MoHUA,” the guidelines said.
“The new guidelines which will be in force till September 30, are based on feedback received from States and UTs, and extensive consultations held with related Central Ministries and Departments,” the MHA said.
The fresh guidelines issued by the ministry further said that social, academic, sports, entertainment, cultural, religious, political functions and other congregations will be permitted with a ceiling of 100 persons, with effect from September 21.
“However, such limited gatherings can be held with the mandatory wearing of face masks, social distancing, provision for thermal scanning and hand wash or sanitizer,” the guidelines pointed out.
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The guidelines further gave permission to open-air theatres from September 21.
The fresh guidelines, however, suggested that educational institutions will remain shut.
“After extensive consultation with States and UTs, it has been decided that Schools, colleges, educational and coaching institutions will continue to remain closed for students and regular class activity up to September 30. Online, distance learning shall continue to be permitted and shall be encouraged,” the guidelines said.
It further said that states and UTs may permit up to 50 per cent of teaching and non-teaching staff to be called to the schools at a time for online teaching, tele- counselling and related work from September 21 in areas outside the containment zones only.
“Students of classes 9 to 12 may be permitted to visit their schools, in areas outside the containment zones only, on a voluntary basis, for taking guidance from their teachers. This will be subject to the written consent of their parents and guardians,” it further said.
The guidelines said that 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 from September 21.
The guidelines have not allowed cinema halls, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres (excluding open-air theatre) and similar places, international air travel of passengers, except as permitted by MHA.
It said that lockdown shall continue to be implemented strictly in the Containment Zones till September 30.
“Containment Zones shall be demarcated by the District authorities at micro-level after taking into 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,” the guidelines issued by the Home Ministry said.
States, UTs shall not impose any local lockdown (State, District, sub-division, City, village level), outside the containment zones, without prior consultation with the Central Government, it said.
There will be no restriction on inter-state and intra-state movement, the guidelines said.
“Vulnerable 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 Unlock 4 guidelines which will come into effect from September 1 said.
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