Unlock 1 New Guidelines 1st June 2020
·
Strict
Enforcement of Lockdown in Containment Zones, which are to be Demarcated by State/
UT Governments based on Health Ministry Guidelines
·
Phased
Re-opening of All Activities Outside Containment Zones; Unlock 1 to have an Economic
Focus
·
Night
Curfew to Remain in Force on Movement of Individuals for All Non-essential
Activities from 9 pm to 5 am
[MHA
Press Release/30.05.2020]
Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued new guidelines to
fight COVID-19 and for phased re-opening of areas outside the Containment Zones,
on 30 May 2020. The guidelines would come into effect from June 1, 2020 and would
be effective till June 30, 2020. The current phase of re-opening, Unlock 1, will
have an economic focus. The new guidelines have been issued based on extensive consultations
held with States and UTs.
A strict lockdown was imposed throughout the country since March
24, 2020. All activities were prohibited except essential activities. Subsequently,
in a graded manner and keeping the overarching objective of containing the spread
of COVID-19 in view, the lockdown measures have been relaxed.
Salient features of the new guidelines
Lockdown measures would continue to be implemented strictly in
the containment zones. These will be demarcated by the State/ UT Governments, after
taking into consideration the guidelines issued by the Health Ministry. Within the
containment zones, strict perimeter control shall be maintained and only essential
activities allowed.
All activities that were prohibited earlier would be opened up
in areas outside Containment Zones in a phased manner, with the stipulation of following
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), to be prescribed by the Health Ministry:
Phase I (permitted to open from June 8, 2020)
·
Religious places and places of worship for
public;
·
Hotels, restaurants and other hospitality
services; and
·
Shopping malls.
Health Ministry would issue SOPs for the above activities, in
consultation with the Central Ministries/ Departments concerned and other stakeholders,
for ensuring social distancing and to contain the spread of COVID-19.
Phase II
Schools, colleges, educational/ training/ coaching institutions
etc., will be opened after consultations with States and UTs. State Governments/
UT administrations are being advised to hold consultations at the institution level
with parents and other stakeholders. Based on the feedback, a decision on the re-opening
of these institutions will be taken in the month of July, 2020. MoHFW will prepare SOP for these institutions.
Limited number of activities to remain prohibited
throughout the country
·
International air travel of passengers;
·
Operation of Metro Rail;
·
Cinema halls, gymnasiums, swimming pools,
entertainment parks, theatres, bars and auditoriums, assembly halls and similar
places; and,
·
Social/ political/ sports/ entertainment/
academic/ cultural/ religious functions/ and other large congregations.
·
Dates for the opening of above activities
would be decided in Phase III, based on assessment of the situation.
Unrestricted Movement of Persons and Goods
·
No restriction on inter-State and intra-State
movement of persons and goods. No separate permission/ approval/ e-permit would
be required for such movements.
·
However, if a State/ UT, based on reasons
of public health and its assessment of the situation, proposes to regulate movement
of persons, it would give wide publicity in advance regarding the restrictions to
be placed on such movement, and the related procedures to be followed.
Night curfew would continue to remain in force, on the
movement of individuals, for all non-essential activities. However, the revised
timings of the curfew will be from 9 pm to 5 am.
National Directives for COVID-19 management would
continue to be followed throughout the country, with a view to ensure social distancing.
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.
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 Aarogya Setu mobile application is a powerful tool built by Government
of India to facilitate quick identification of persons infected by COVID-19, or
at risk of being infected, thus acting as a shield for individuals and the community.
With a view to ensure safety, various authorities are advised to encourage the use
of the application.