The Central Government today issued new guidelines for opening up more activities in areas outside the Containment Zones. Under the guidelines, restrictions on the movement of individuals during the night (Night curfew) have been removed. Yoga institutes and gymnasiums will also be allowed to open from 5 August, while schools, colleges, and coaching institutes will remain closed till 31 August.With regard to opening Yoga institutes and gymnasiums, the 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.Metro Rail, Cinema halls, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, bars, auditoriums, assembly halls, and similar places and social/ political/ sports/ entertainment/ academic/ cultural/ religious functions and other large congregations will continue to remain prohibited till August 31.The guidelines also provide that the Independence Day functions will be allowed with social distancing and by following other health protocols, e.g., wearing masks, etc. In this regard instructions issued by MHA on 21.07.2020 shall be followed.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.National Directives for COVID-19 management shall continue to be followed throughout the country, with a view to ensuring social distancing. Shops will need to maintain adequate physical distancing among customers. MHA will monitor the effective implementation of National Directives.Further, the guidelines state 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, are advised to stay at home, except for meeting essential requirements and for health purposes.The use of the Aarogya Setu mobile application will continue to be encouraged.Read the Guidelines Here
