The Central Government Wednesday issued fresh guidelines specifying the opening of more activities in areas outside the Containment Zones.
The new guidelines known as 'Unlock5' provide that cinemas/ theatres/ multiplexes will be allowed to operate w.e.f. October 15 with up to 50% of their seating capacity, for which, standard operating procedure (SOP) will be issued by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. Business to Business (B2B) Exhibitions will be permitted to open, for which, SOP will be issued by the Department of Commerce.
Swimming pools being used for training of sportspersons will be permitted to open, for which SoP will be issued by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (MoYA&S). Entertainment parks and similar places will also be permitted to open, for which the SOP will be issued by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW).
For the re-opening of schools and coaching institutions, the guidelines leave it on the State/ UT Governments to take a decision after October 15, in a graded manner. The decision will be taken in consultation with the respective school/ institution management, based on their assessment of the situation, said MHA.
States /UTs will prepare their own SOP regarding health and safety precautions for reopening of schools/ institutions based on the SOP to be issued by the Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), Ministry of Education, Government of India, keeping local requirements in view. Schools, which are allowed to open, will have to mandatorily follow the SOP to be issued by Education Departments of States/ UTs.
With regard to the opening of higher education institutions, the Department of Higher Education (DHE) may take a decision on the timing of opening, in consultation with MHA based on the assessment of the situation.
Unlock 5 guidelines provide that State/ UT Governments may permit social/ academic/ sports/ entertainment/ cultural/ religious/ political functions and other congregations beyond the limit of 100 persons, outside Containment Zones, after 15th October 2020, which will be subject to the following conditions:
International air travel of passengers will also remain closed except as permitted by MHA.
Unlock 4 guidelines reiterate that the vulnerable persons, i.e., persons above 65 years of age, persons with co-morbidities, pregnant women, and children below the age of 10 years, to stay at home, except for meeting essential requirements and for health purposes.
The use of Aarogya Setu mobile application will continue to be encouraged, said MHA.
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