Schools & colleges to stay shut, but functions/congregations with 100-person ceiling allowed from Sept 21
No let-up in strict vigil over containment zones
NEW DELHI/BENGALURU:
‘Unlock 4’ guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs on Saturday are a mix of relaxations and continuing restrictions. Officially, the lockdown continues nationwide till September 30, but in effect it will be enforced only in containment zones.
Metro rail services across the country can now resume from September 7 in a graded manner. However, schools, colleges, educational and coaching institutions will remain closed. But there is a relaxation of another kind as states and UTs can allow 50% of teaching staff to come to schools for online instruction from September 21. Moreover, students of classes 9 to 12 can ‘voluntarily’ go to school with their parents’ written consent.
In a significant, though carefully calibrated change from earlier guidelines, the MHA has said that social, academic, sports, entertainment, cultural, religious, political functions and other congregations can take place with a ceiling of 100 persons from September 21.
Continuing from the earlier guidelines, Unlock 4 says there shall be no restriction on inter-and intra-state of persons and goods, and neither will any separate permission/ approval/ e-permit be required.
The relaxations from earlier guidelines continue for activities like shopping malls and barber shops. While cinema halls, swimming pools, theatres and similar venues will remain closed, open-air theatres are permitted to open from September 21.
International air travel remains suspended, except in cases permitted by the MHA.
Containment pain
According to the MHA guidelines, containment zones need to be carefully demarcated by state governments/UTs, strict social distancing and other preventive measures have to be maintained. These containment zones have to be uploaded on local government websites and their activities strictly monitored by the authorities. However, local governments shall not impose any restrictions outside containment zones without prior consultation with the Centre, the guidelines state.
