Download Unlock 5 Guidelines PDF: Through an order, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued Guidelines for Re-opening of more activities outside the Containment Zones to be effective from October 1 to 31.
Unlock 5 Guidelines (Re-opening in India) Highlights
- On Wednesday, MHA issued Guidelines for Re-Opening activities permitted outside the Containment Zones
- The guidelines will remain in force from October 1 to October 31
- Allowed to open many activities from October 15 with conditions
- State/UT Governments to decide upon the opening of Schools as per SOPs
- Online and distance education learning to remain a preferred mode of teaching
- Science stream research and post-graduate to open with a flexible approach
- Containment Zones will remain under lockdown as prescribed earlier
- No State/UT will impose lockdown outside Containment Zones without consultation with Central Government
The Government of India Issued New Guidelines on September 30
The Government of India has issued guidelines on September 30 for Re-opening activities permitted outside the Containment Zones. Union Home Secretary, Chairman of National Executive Committee (NEC), issued a letter to The Chief Secretaries and Administrators of Sates and Union Territories. Exercising power under the Disaster Management Act (NDMA), he had directed to re-open more activities in areas outside the Containment Zones.
NEC has extended the lockdown in Containment Zones up to October 31. Hence the guidelines for the Re-opening of activities will be in force from October 1 to October 31. Earlier, an order by the same authority issued on August 29 was for containment COVID-19 in the country for up to September 30.
Activities Permitted Outside the Containment Zones
MHA Guidelines allowed all activities in the areas outside the Containment Zones only, except the following:
Re-opening of Schools and Coaching Institutions
MHA empowered all State and UT Governments to decide regarding the re-opening of schools and coaching institutions in a graded manner after October 15. Sate/UT will decide upon consultation with the respective management of schools and institutions. State/UT will assess the situation and decide subject to the following conditions:
- Encourage online and distance learning as a preferred mode of teaching.
- Permit conducting online classes where students opt to attend online courses rather than attending school physically.
- Schools and institutions may allow students to attend physically after receiving written consent from parents.
- Institutes must not enforce the attendance and must leave on parents to decide.
- All-State and UT Governments will formulate their standard operating procedure (SOP), keeping local requirements in view. This SOP will align with the spirit of SOP issued by the Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), Ministry of Education, for maintaining health and safety for opening the schools and institutions.
- All schools must follow SOP issued by State/UT Education Departments.
Higher Education Institutions for Science and Technology to Open
The Guidelines empower the Department of Higher Education (DHE), Ministry of Education, to decide upon re-opening colleges and Institutes of Higher Education depending upon assessing the local situation in consultation with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). In this case, DHE shall encourage online and distance learning as a preferred mode of teaching.
Unlock 5 Guidelines PDF Download link:
■ Download Unlock 5.0 Guidelines PDF by MHA
As an exception, MHA guidelines permit Higher Education Institutions for science and technology stream research scholars (Ph.D.) and post-graduate students who require laboratory / experimental work to open from October 15 as under:
- The Heads of Institution of Centrally Funded Higher Institutions will satisfy themselves for the genuine needs of laboratory / experimental work for science and technology stream research scholars (Ph.D.) and post-graduate students.
- The Sate and Government will decide upon the opening of all other Higher Education Institutions for science and technology stream research scholars (Ph.D.) and post-graduate students who require laboratory / experimental work.
Opening the Swimming Pools for Training
Ministry of Youth Affairs (MoYA&S) will issue SOP for opening the swimming pools to train sportspersons with effect from October 15.
Opening Cinemas, Theatre, and Multiplexes
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting will issue SOP for opening Cinemas, theatre, and multiplexes with 50 percent of their seating capacity with effect from October 15 in areas outside the Containment Zones only.
Entertainment Parks to Open
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) will issue SOP for opening Entertainment parks effective from October 15.
Business to Business (B2B) to Open
The Department of Commerce will issue SOP for permitting the Business to Business (B2B) to open with effect from October 15.
Public Gathering Ceilings Increase
MHA Guidelines have already permitted a ceiling of 100 persons outside Containment Zones only for all social, sports, entertainment, academic, cultural, political, religious functions, and other congregations. The State and UT Governments may allow such gatherings beyond 100 persons, outside Containment Zones effective from October 15. MHA has empowered State/UT Governments to issue SOPs to regulate such communities and strictly enforce the same with the imposition of conditions as under:
- Allow a maximum of 50 percent of hall capacity with a ceiling of 200 persons in closed spaces with mandatory use of face mask, social distancing, thermal scanning, use of handwash, or sanitizer.
- Allow persons given the size of ground and space availability in open spaces with strict observance of social distancing and mandatory use of face mask, social distancing, thermal scanning, use of handwash, or sanitizer.
Restriction on International Air Travel to Continue
International air travel of passengers will remain restricted with exceptions as permitted by MHA.
National Directives for COVID-19 Management
MHA Guidelines re-enforced its National Directives for COVID-19 (already issued) throughout the country with regards to
- Face Coverings
- Social distancing in individuals
- Spitting in public places
- Work from Home
- Staggering of work/ business hours
- Screening and hygiene
- Frequent sanitization
- Social distancing at workplaces
Lockdown Limited to Containment Zones
- Lockdown to remain in force till October 31
- District authorities will demarcate Containment Zones as per MoHFW guidelines.
- District Collectors and the State/UTs will notify the Containment Zones on websites and share them with MoHFW.
State/UT Governments Not to Impose Lockdown Outside Containment Zones
State/UT Governments will not impose any local lockdown without prior consultation with the Central Government.
No Restriction on Inter-State and Intra-State Movements
There are no restrictions on the inter-state and intra-state movements in reopening.
Movement by Passenger Trains, Domestic Air Travel, Seafarers
Movement by passenger trains, domestic passenger air travel, persons on Vande Bharat and Air Transport Bubble flights, sign-on, and sign-off of Indian seafarers will continue to regulate as per SOPs issued.
Protection of Vulnerable Persons
Except for essential and health purposes, the persons above 65 or below ten years, with co-morbidities, pregnant women should stay at home.
Use Aarogya Setu As Per Guidelines Issued
Arogya Setu app is to be used as per the guidelines issued.
Strict Enforcement of the Guidelines
State/UT Governments shall not dilute these guidelines and must use the provisions of Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) of 1973.
Penal Provisions
Any persons violating these measures will face proceedings as per provisions of Section 51-60 of Disaster Management Act, 2005, besides legal action under Section 188 of IPC and other legal provisions as applicable.
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