Unlock 6: Moving Ahead With Caution! MHA Extends Guidelines For Re-Opening Till Nov 30 | Check Full Details

As per the order, lockdown shall continue to be implemented strictly in the containment zones till November 30.

(Representative Image/ Getty)

New Delhi: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Tuesday issued an order to extend the guidelines for re-opening, issued on September 30, to remain in force till November 30 in the wake of ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. As per the order, lockdown shall continue to be implemented strictly in the containment zones till November 30. "Since the issuance of the first Order on lockdown measures by MHA on 24th March 2020, almost all activities have been gradually opened up in areas outside the Containment Zones. While most of the activities have been permitted, some activities involving large number of people, have been allowed with some restrictions and subject to SOPs being followed regarding health and safety precautions," MHA said in its official statement. These activities include - metro rail; shopping malls; hotel, restaurants and hospitality services, religious places, yoga and training institutes, gymnasiums, cinemas, entertainment park and others.  The ministry also said that in respect of certain activities, having relatively higher degree of risk of Covid-19 infection, State/ UT governments have been permitted to take decisions for their re-opening, based on the assessment of the situation and subject to SOPs. These activities include – schools and coaching institutes; State and private universities for research scholars; allowing gatherings above the limit of 100 etc. After the last guidelines issued by MHA on September 30, following activities are also permitted, but with certain restrictions: i. International air travel of passengers as permitted by MHA. ii. Swimming pools being used for training of sportspersons. iii. Exhibitions halls for Business to Business (B2B) purposes. iv. Cinemas/ theatres/ multiplexes up to 50% of their seating capacity. v. Social/ academic/ sports/ entertainment/ cultural/ religious/ political functions and other congregations, in closed spaces with a maximum of 50% of the hall capacity and subject to ceiling of 200 persons In its statement, the ministry also stated that essence behind graded re-opening and progressive resumption of activities is to move ahead, pointing out that it does not mean end of the pandemic. The statement clearly mentions that there is a need to exercise abundant caution by adopting COVID-19 appropriate behavior by every citizen in their daily routine. Meanwhile, the National Directives for COVID-19 management shall continue to be followed throughout the country, so as to enforce Coronavirus appropriate behavior. The government also said that a strict enforcement of lockdown will continue in Containment Zones till November 30, under which: * Containment Zones shall be demarcated by the District authorities at micro level after taking into consideration the guidelines of MoHFW with the objective of effectively breaking the chain of transmission. * Strict containment measures will be enforced in these containment zones and only essential activities will be allowed * 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. Additional guidelines: The directive by Home Ministry also mentioned that states not to impose any local lockdown outside Containment Zones. "State/ UT Governments shall not impose any local lockdown (State/ District/ sub-division/City/ village level), outside the containment zones, without prior consultation with the Central Government," it said. Apart from that there would be no restriction on Inter-State and intra-State movement. "There shall be no restriction on inter-State and intra-State movement of persons and goods.No separate permission/ approval/ e-permit will be required for such movements," the statement added. Vulnerable persons, i.e., persons above 65 years of age, persons with co-morbidities, pregnant women, and children below the age of 10 years, are advised to stay at home, except for meeting essential requirements and for health purposes.