Schools, colleges, Metro rail, theatres, bars, pools to stay shut
BENGALURU/NEW DELHI:
No more night curfew is among the important relaxations in the August 1-starting ‘Unlock3’ guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday.
Among the other salient features of the new guidelines, yoga institutes and gymnasiums will be allowed to open from August 5 as per SOPs to be issued by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW).
Independence Day functions will be allowed with social distancing and other health protocols.
However, schools, colleges and coaching institutions will remain closed till August 31.
International air travel is permitted under the ‘Vande Bharat’ mission, and further opening up will take place in a calibrated manner.
All that’s shut
Metro Rail, cinema halls, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, bars, auditoriums, assembly halls and large congregations of various kinds will remain shut.
Containment vigil
The lockdown shall continue to be implemented strictly in containment zones till August 31. Strict perimeter control shall be maintained and only essential activities allowed. The MOHFW will monitor the proper delineation of containment zones and implementation of the containment measures.
No bar on travel
The MHA has clarified that states and UTs may prohibit certain activities outside the containment zones, or impose such restrictions as deemed necessary. However, 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 national directives for Covid management shall continue to be followed throughout the country. Shops will need to maintain adequate physical distancing among customers.
The latest MHA guidelines once again ‘advise’ vulnerable persons — those above 65, persons with co-morbidities, pregnant women and children below the age of 10 — to stay at home except for meeting ‘essential’ requirements and for ‘health’ purposes.
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