New Delhi (NVI): With the extension of Covid-19 lockdown till May 31, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) today issued fresh guidelines to be followed in the fourth phase of nationwide restrictions to contain the spread of coronavirus.
According to MHA guidelines, barbershops, salons, shopping complexes and markets can now open from Monday.
However, all domestic and international air travel of passengers will remain prohibited throughout the country, the order said.
“All domestic and international air travel of passengers, except for domestic medical services, domestic air ambulance and for security purposes or purposes as permitted by MHA,” the order read.
Apart from that, the government has also allowed inter-state movement of passenger vehicles and buses with mutual consent of states. There are no zone-wise restrictions from the Centre, barring containment zones. The states can decide delineation of red, green and orange zones now.
“The delineation of Red, Green and Orange Zones will be decided by the respective State and UT Governments, after taking into consideration the parameters shared by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW), GOI,” the order read.
Lockdown 4.0 will focus on a gradual revival of economic activities while keeping in mind social distancing norms and the rising number of Covid-19 cases in the country.
Metro rail services will also remain closed.
Apart from that, schools, colleges, educational/training/coaching institutions etc. will remain closed. “Online/distance learning shall continue to be permitted and shall be encouraged,” MHA states in the order.
Hotels, restaurants and other hospitality services will also remain closed, except those meant for housing health/police/Government officials/healthcare workers/stranded persons including tourists and for quarantine facilities, the order said. Besides, running of canteens at bus depots, railway stations and airports will remain prohibited. However, restaurants will be permitted to operate kitchens for home delivery of food items.
All cinema halls, shopping malls, gymnasiums, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, bars and auditoriums, assembly halls and similar places shall continue to remain closed throughout the country till 31st May, according to the revised MHA guidelines. “Sports complexes and stadia will be permitted to open; however, spectators will not be allowed,” the order read.
All religious places/places of worship shall be closed for public. Religious congregations are strictly prohibited for now, MHA said.
Among other activities, all social/political/entertainment/academic/cultural/religious functions/ other gatherings and large congregations will also remain prohibited.
The following activities shall be permitted with restrictions, except in the Containment zones:
i) Inter-State movement of passenger vehicles and buses, with mutual consent of the State(s)/UT(s) involved
ii) Intra-State movement of passenger vehicles and buses, as decided by the States and UTs
iii) Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the movement of persons
The MHA order came just after NDMA issued a letter to Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla, directing all ministries/departments of the Government of India and state governments/authorities to extend the lockdown measures up to May 31, 2020. The order was issued under NDMA’s exercise of the powers vested to it under Section 6 (2) (i) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
Here is a brief summary of things allowed and not allowed in lockdown 4.0 as per the MHA order issued today:
CHANGES IN THE NEW MHA GUIDELINES:
1) States allowed to decide zoning and rules applicable in those zones, barring containment zones
2) Inter-state movement of passenger vehicles and buses with the consent of states, or as decided by the state
3) Staggered work timings for offices, shops, markets. Work From Home as much as possible
4) Stadia and sporting complexes allowed to open, but without spectators
5) Restaurants permitted to keep kitchens open for takeaways
STILL CONTINUE IN LOCKDOWN 4:
1) Restrictions on the number of people in weddings and funerals
2) Curfew from 7 PM to 7 AM, except for essential activities
3) Metro services remain closed
4) Schools, colleges, education institutes remain shut
5) Malls, theatres, gyms, bars, pools remain shut
6) No domestic or international flights
7) Senior citizens, children below 10 and pregnant women shall stay at homes
8)Religious places to be closed for public. Religious congregation still prohibited
