Coronavirus Lockdown 4.0 | Know What's Allowed, What's Not Under New Guidelines By MHA

Lockdown 4.0 guidelines - Centre has issued 12 modifications in the guidelines keeping in view the need to open up economic activities while containing the spread of COVID 19.

New Delhi: A physically challenged girl sits on a makeshift seat of a bicycle as she travels with her family to UP, during the ongoing COVID-19 nationwide lockdown, in New Delhi, Sunday, May 17, 2020. (PTI Photo/Arun Sharma)(PTI17-05-2020_000179B)

Lockdown 4.0 guidelines: Ending all speculations, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Sunday announced extension of nationwide lockdown by another two weeks from May 18 till May 31. In an order, the Union home ministry said the decision has been taken after a comprehensive review of the COVID-19 situation. In an order issued by the Government of India under the Disaster Management Act 2005, the Home Ministry released new guidelines to regulate and monitor different activities in this period. According to the official release, the fourth phase of the lockdown allows State governments to decide their own Red, Orange and Green zones. Sports complexes were permitted to open by the Ministry of Home Affairs in the fourth phase of the coronavirus-forced lockdown, while salons and barber shops could open after permission from state governments, Sources said. The Centre has issued 12 modifications in the guidelines keeping in view the need to open up economic activities while containing the spread of COVID 19. According to the order, the government will continue to prohibit operations of metro train services and domestic flights. Moreover, public places such as malls, gyms, worship areas to remain inaccessible for citizens. What Remains Shut:

• All domestic and international air travel
• Metro rail services
• School, colleges, educational institutions
• Hotels, restaurants and other hospitality services except those meant for housing health/police/govt officials
• Cinema halls, malls, gyms, swimming pools, parks, auditoriums to remain closed
• All social, religious, large congregations are shut
• Movement of Individuals prohibited between 7PM to 7 AM
• Persons above 65 years of age, pregnant women or children below 10 years of age suggested to stay at home

Activities that shall be permitted with restrictions

• Inter-state movement of passenger vehicles and buses with mutual consent of states/UTs
• States to decide whether salons should open
• Restaurants shall be open only for home delivery
• Sports complex, stadiums to open sans spectators
• In containment zones only essential activities to be allowed
• Local authorities should ensure that shops and markets, except in containment zones, open with staggered timings: MHA
• All shops shall have to ensure six feet distance among customers; not allow more than five people at one time

Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issues guidelines on measures to be taken by Ministries/Departments of Government of India, State Governments/UT Governments & State/UT authorities for containment of COVID19. #LockDown4 will remain in effect till 31st May 2020. pic.twitter.com/10WnwnWfte

— ANI (@ANI) May 17, 2020

With the release of fresh set of rules for the fourth phase of nationwide lockdown, official sources have informed that the Cabinet Secretary will speak to states' chief secretaries at 9 PM tonight over the guidelines for Lockdown 4.0. Witnessing the continues rise in COVID-19 cases, Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the address to the nation on Tuesday had talked about a fourth phase of the lockdown or Lockdown 4.0. The national lockdown announced by the prime minister is in place from March 25 in an unprecedented measure to fight against COVID-19. The first phase of lockdown which was followed by 21 days was further extended from April 15 till May 3, and then got into it's third phase from May 4 till May 18.