Lockdown 5.0 Guidelines: A day before the fourth phase of a nationwide lockdown is lifted, the Ministry of Home Affairs Saturday issued fresh guidelines for the phased re-opening of all activities outside containment zones for the next one month.
The Centre has announced the reopening in three phases, with the first one allowing hotels, shopping malls, and religious places to open. Night curfew will continue, however, the timings have been relaxed from 7 pm- 7 am to 9 pm-5 am.
However, States will have the freedom to put suitable restrictions on the allowed activities if they deem it necessary for the containment of the coronavirus outbreak. Besides, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare will issue a standard operating procedure for all these activities which are now being permitted.Schools, colleges, educational/training/coaching institutions will be opened in the next phase after consultations with States and Union Territories. According to the MHA guidelines, “State/UT governments may hold consulations at the institution level with parents and other stakeholders.”
A decision of re-opening of these institutions will be taken in July.
Phase 3
Dates for the re-starting of prohibited activities will be decided in the third phase in August. International air travel, metro operations, cinema halls, gymnasiums, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, bars and auditoriums, assembly halls will, thus, remain closed for now.
All events and large congregations, including social, political, sports, entertainment, academic, cultural or religious functions continue to remain prohibited till the third phase.
Here’s what’s allowed and what’s not
Phase 1
In Phase 1 of the reopening of restricted activities, religious places, hotels, restaurants and other hospitality services, and shopping malls will be allowed to open, starting June 8.