New Delhi: The coronavirus cases in India continue to rise and have crossed the 14 Lakh mark on Monday. With a total of 14,35,453 cases, the country now prepares for the third phase of Unlock 3 which will come to force from August. Further relaxations especially for cinema halls and gyms are expected from Unlock 3. A decision on reopening educational institutes might also be considered. However, with such a high number of cases, it is possible that restrictions may remain on metro services and gatherings at weddings etc.

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Cinema halls

There is push for relaxations for cinema halls and in a recent report the I&B Secretary Amit Khare said that he has recommended that cinema halls may be allowed to reopen all over India as early as August 1 - or at the latest, around August 31 during a closed-door industry interaction with the CII Media Committee on Friday. For safety, it was suggested that alternate seats in the first row and then the next row be kept vacant and proceeding in this fashion throughout. Khare said that his ministry's recommendation takes into consideration the two-meter social distancing norm, but tweaks it gently to two yards instead. According to a report by India Today, gyms might also open up during Unlock 3. As these facilities attract large gatherings it had remained closed during the previous two phases.

Academic institutions

The Union Minister of Human Resource Development (HRD) Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank had earlier asked parents for their feedback on reopening of school and according to media reports, the ministry has begun consultation with different states regarding the issue in a meeting chaired by Secretary of School Education, Anita Karwal. The HRD minister in an interview on June 3 had said that schools will that schools and colleges will reopen after August.

But with rising coronavirus cases, most students are even apprehensive about their safety it is possible that it may remain shut.

During unlock 2 several relaxations were given including restarting operations of domestic flights and passenger trains, changes in night curfew timings, and an increase in the number of customers in shops. It also said that training institutions of the Central and State Governments will be allowed to function with effect from July 15, 2020.

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