MHA Issues Guidelines For Unlock 4, Here’s What’s Allowed, What’s Not
New Delhi: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) today issued new guidelines for opening up of more activities in areas outside the Containment Zones. During Unlock 4, which will come into effect from September 1, 2020, the process of phased re-opening of activities has been extended further.
The new guidelines are based on feedback received from States and UTs, and extensive consultations held with related Central Ministries and Departments Salient features of the new guidelines, the MHA said in a statement.
Metro rail will be allowed to operate with effect from September 7, 2020 in a graded manner, by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MOHUA) and Ministry of Railways (MOR), in consultation with MHA. In this regard, the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) will be issued by MOHUA.
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, 2020. However, such limited gatherings can be held with mandatory wearing of face masks, social distancing, provision for thermal scanning and hand wash or sanitizer.
Open air theatres will be permitted to open with effect from September 21, 2020.
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, 2020. Online distance learning shall continue to be permitted and shall be encouraged. However, following will be permitted in areas outside the Containment Zones only, with effect from September 21, 2020 for which, SOP will be issued by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MOHFW):
a. States/UTs may permit up to 50% of teaching and non-teaching staff to be called to the schools at a time for online teaching tele-counselling and related work.
b. Students of classes 9 to 12 may be permitted to visit their schools, in areas outside the Containment Zones only, on voluntary basis, for taking guidance from their teachers. This will be subject to written consent of their parents/guardians.
c. 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. National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD), Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE) and their training providers will also be permitted.
Higher Education Institutions only for research scholars (Ph.D.) and postgraduate students of technical and professional programmes requiring laboratory/ experimental works. These will be permitted by the Department of Higher Education (DHE) in consultation with MHA, based on the assessment of the situation, and keeping in view incidence of COVID-19 in the States/UTs.
All activities, except the following, shall be permitted outside containment zones:
(i) Cinema halls, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres (excluding open air theatre) and similar places.
(ii) International air travel of passengers, except as permitted by MHA.