Strict Enforcement of Lockdown in Containment Zones till 31st August 2020
New MHA guidelines
Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued new guidelines on 29 July, 2020, for opening up of more activities in areas
outside the Containment Zones. In Unlock 3, which will come into effect from
August 1, 2020, the process of phased re-opening of activities has been extended further. The new guidelines, issued today,
are based on feedback received from States and UTs,
and extensive consultations held with related Central Ministries and
Departments.
Salient features of the new guidelines
·
Restrictions on movement of individuals
during night (Night curfew) have been removed.
·
Yoga institutes and gymnasiums will be allowed to open from August 5, 2020. In this regard,
Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) will be issued by the
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) for
ensuring social distancing and to contain the spread of COVID-19.
·
Independence Day functions will be
allowed with social distancing and by following other health protocols, e.g.,
wearing of masks etc. In this regard instructions
issued by MHA on 21.07.2020 shall be followed.
·
After extensive consultation with
States and UTs, it has been decided that schools, colleges and coaching
institutions will remain closed till August 31, 2020.
·
International air travel of passengers has been permitted in a limited manner under the Vande Bharat mission. Further opening up will take place in a
calibrated manner.
·
All activities, except the following,
shall be permitted outside containment zones:
i.
Metro Rail.
ii.
Cinema halls, swimming pools,
entertainment parks, theatres, bars, auditoriums, assembly halls and similar
places.
iii.
Social/ political/ sports/
entertainment/ academic/ cultural/ religious functions and other large
congregations.
Dates for opening of these will be decided
separately, based on the assessment of the situation.
·
Lockdown shall continue to be
implemented strictly in the Containment Zones till 31
August, 2020. Containment Zones are required to be carefully
demarcated by the State/ UT Governments with a view to contain the spread of
COVID-19, after taking into consideration the guidelines issued by
MOHFW. Within the containment zones,
strict perimeter control shall be maintained and only
essential activities allowed.
·
These Containment Zones will be
notified on the websites of the respective District Collectors and by the
States/ UTs and information will also be shared with
MOHFW.
·
Activities in the Containment Zones
shall be monitored strictly by State and UT authorities,
and the guidelines relating to containment measure in these zones shall be
strictly implemented.
·
MOHFW will monitor the proper
delineation of Containment Zones and implementation of the containment
measures.
States to decide on activities outside Containment Zones
States and UTs, based on their assessment of the situation,
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.
National Directives for COVID-19 management
National Directives for COVID-19 management shall continue
to be followed throughout the country, with a view to
ensure social distancing. Shops will
need to maintain adequate physical distancing among customers. MHA will monitor
the effective implementation of National Directives.
Protection for vulnerable persons
Vulnerable persons, i.e., persons above 65 years of age,
persons with co-morbidities, pregnant women, and children below the age of 10
years, are advised to stay at home, except for meeting
essential requirements and for health purposes.
Use of Aarogya Setu
The use of Aarogya Setu mobile application will continue to be encouraged.