[Breaking] MHA Issues Unlock 4 Guidelines: Schools, Colleges, Cinemas To Remain Closed Till Sep 30; Metro Rail To Start From Sep 7; No Inter-State & Intra State Travel Restrictions

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued Unlock 4.0 guidelines for opening up of more activities in areas outside the Containment Zones. Lockdown in Containment Zones is extended till 30th September 2020.

However, Schools, colleges, educational and coaching institutions will continue to remain closed for students and regular class activity up to 30th September 2020.

The guidelines makes it clear that 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, it says.

As per the new guidelines, Metro rail will be allowed to operate with effect from 7th September 2020 in a graded manner. Social/ academic/ sports/ entertainment/ cultural/ religious/ political functions and other congregations will be permitted with a ceiling of 100 persons, with effect from 21st September 2020. Open air theatres will be permitted to open with effect from 21st September 2020.

The following activities are not be permitted:

(i)Cinema halls, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres (excluding open air theatre) and similar places.

(ii) International air travel of passengers, except as permitted by MHA.

With regard to schools, following will be permitted, in areas outside the Containment Zones only, with effect from 21st September 2020 for which, SOP will be issued by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare

1. States/ UTs may permit upto 50% of teaching and non-teaching staff to be called to the schools at a time for online teaching/ tele- counselling and related work.
2. Students of classes 9 to 12 may be permitted to visit their schools, in areas outside the Containment Zones only, on voluntary basis, for taking guidance from their teachers. This will be subject to written consent of their parents/ guardians.
3. Skill or Entrepreneurship training will be permitted in National Skill Training Institutes, Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), Short term training centres registered with National Skill Development Corporation or State Skill Development Missions or other Ministries of Government of India or State Governments. National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD), Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE) and their training providers will also be permitted.

Higher Education Institutions only for research scholars (Ph.D.) and postgraduate students of technical and professional programmes requiring laboratory/ experimental works. These will be permitted by the Department of Higher Education (DHE) in consultation with MHA, based on the assessment of the situation, and keeping in view incidence of COVID-19 in the States/ UTs.

State/ UT Governments shall not impose any local lockdown (State/ District/ subdivision/City/ village level), outside the containment zones, without prior consultation with the Central Government, the guidelines said.

The MHA has also issued National Directives for Covid-19 management which stipulate face coverings, social distancing, etc. The directives advises work places to follow Work From Home as far as possible. 

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