Unlock 5 Guidelines Released: The Ministry of Home Affairs has released fresh guidelines of unlock 5 phase beginning October 1. The MHA has introduced some more relaxations in these guidelines, which will come into effect from October 1, 202o.


Also Read: Lockdown In Maharashtra Extended Till 31st October, Hotels, Food Courts, Bars Allowed To Operate From October 5


Here is the list of activities allowed and what still remains closed.


These activities shall be allowed to re-open from 15th October outside containment zones:




  • Cinema halls

  • Multiplexes

  • Swimming pools used for training of sportspersons

  • Entertainment parks

  • Business to Business (B2B) Exhibitions will be permitted to open

  • Gathering beyond limit of 100 persons subject to conditions


Note: Cinemas/ theatres/ multiplexes will be permitted to open with upto 50% of their seating capacity, for which, SOP will be issued by Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. For Entertainment parks and similar places, the SOP will be issued by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare


All activities, except the following, shall be permitted outside containment zones: 




  1. International air travel of passengers, except as permitted by MHA.

  2. Entertainment parks and similar places will remain closed.


Regulation of gatherings


State/ UT Governments have been given the flexibility to permit gatherings beyond the limit of 100 persons, outside Containment Zones, after 15th October 2020, which will be subject to the following conditions:




  • In closed spaces, a maximum of 50% of the hall capacity will be allowed, with a ceiling of 200 persons. Wearing of face masks, maintaining social distancing, provision for thermal scanning and use of hand wash or sanitizer will be mandatory.

  • In open spaces, keeping the size of the ground/ space in view, and with strict observance of social distancing, mandatory wearing of face masks, provision for thermal scanning and hand wash or sanitizer.


Opening of Schools, colleges, education institutions and coaching institutions
For re-opening of schools and coaching institutions, State/ UT Governments have been given the flexibility to take a decision after 15th October 2020, in a graded manner after consultation with the respective school/ institution management, subject to the following conditions:




  • Online/ distance learning shall continue to be the preferred mode of teaching and shall be encouraged.

  • Where schools are conducting online classes, and some students prefer to attend online classes rather than physically attend school, they may be permitted to do so.

  • Students may attend schools/ institutions only with the written consent of parents.

  • Attendance must not be enforced, and must depend entirely on parental consent.


Department of Higher Education (DHE), Ministry of Education may take a decision on the timing of the opening of Colleges/ Higher Education Institutions, in consultation with Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), based on the assessment of the situation. Online/ distance learning shall continue to be the preferred mode of teaching and shall be encouraged.


However, Higher Education Institutions only for research scholars (Ph.D) and post-graduate students in science and technology stream requiring laboratory/ experimental works will be permitted to open from 15th October, 2020, as under:




  • For Centrally Funded Higher Education Institutions, the Head of Institution will satisfy herself/ himself that there is a genuine requirement of research scholars (Ph.D) and post-graduate students in science and technology stream for laboratory/experimental works.

  • For all other Higher Education Institutions e.g. State Universities, Private Universities etc., they may open only for research scholars (Ph.D) and postgraduate students in science and technology stream requiring laboratory/experimental works as per decision to be taken by the respective State/UT Governments.
    (The information is based on the guidelines released by the MHA).


Within Containment Zones:


Within the containment zones, strict perimeter control shall be maintained and only essential activities allowed. These Containment Zones will be notified on the websites of the respective District Collectors and by the States/ UTs and information will also be shared with MOHFW.


States shall not impose any local lockdown outside Containment Zones


(The information is based on the guidelines released by the MHA).