Unlock 1.0: Hotels, Malls & Religious Places To Open From June 8

The central government on Saturday announced that the Lockdown will continue till June 30. But further reprieves have been given and religious places, restaurants, malls, and hotels will open from June 8. Restriction on activities in containment zones will still remain.

Ghaziabad: Migrants walk along a road on NH-24 to reach their native places, during the nationwide COVID-19 lockdown, in Ghaziabad, Saturday, May 30, 2020. (PTI)

New Delhi: The Central government on Saturday announced that the Lockdown will continue till June 30. According to new guidelines religious places, restaurants, malls, and hotels will open from June 8 but not in containment zones. "In exercise of powers under section 6 (2) (i) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) it has directed the undersigned to issue an order to extend the lockdown in containment zones up to June 30, and reopen prohibited activities in a phased manner in areas outside containment zones," the order says. The fresh guidelines look at the phased opening of the country with stress on restarting different economic activities. The first phase of lockdown will begin from June 8 and the second phase will start from July.

" Prohibited activities to be reopened in phased manner in areas outside Containment Zones. "

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On reopening schools and colleges a decision will be taken in July after consultations and suggestions with states, parents and other stake-holders. Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) in a tweet announced that " In light of the guidelines issued by the government, metro services will remain closed for commuters until further notice."

According to the first phase of lifting lockdown or Unlock 1

• From June 8 religious places, shopping malls, hotels, restaurants, and other hospitality services will open. Health Ministry will issue SOP for these activities soon.
• Night curfew timings have changed. Now it will apply between 9 PM till 5 AM
• No restrictions on interstate movement for individuals and cargo. But states can take their own decision based about the infection
• Aarogya Setu App has become mandatory
• Stricter enforcement of regulations in containment zones
• There will be no relief for gathering at weddings and funerals. No permission for large social gatherings
• Face mask and social distancing has become mandatory
• Bars and pubs to remain shut

Phase 2 will be discussed in July when schools, universities, swimming pools, gyms, and Metro rail might be restarted. For this government has told states and UTs to hold consultations in the institution level. In Phase 3 of unlocking the lockdown dates for the opening of International air travel of passengers, restarting Metro Rail, cinema halls, gymnasiums, swimming pools, entertainment parks, etc will be decided and SOP will be made for this.

" Night curfew timings have changed. Now it will apply between 9 PM till 5 AM "

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Till May 31 the country was under the fourth phase of lockdown which saw greater relaxations and many activities including train and flight services resumed. Liquor stores also opened during this phase of the lockdown. However, there were still restrictions on activities in containment zones, religious places, and movement between 7 PM till 7 AM. States had expressed interest in opening salons and religious places in meeting with Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba on Thursday. Several states had also demanded have demanded further graded opening of the tourism and hospitality sector. This was important for economies of States and Union Territories such as Puducherry, Kerala, Goa, etc and some North-eastern states which are heavily dependent on tourism and hospitality.