On 29th August, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued guidelines for the fourth phase of relaxing the lockdown in areas that are not in the containment zone. According to the guidelines, state governments should consult the central government before imposing a lockdown in non-containment zones. These guidelines shall come into effect on September 1.
The guidelines permit the following activities, provided that the Standard Operating Procedure issued by the Ministry of Health and Family welfare is strictly followed:
-Metro trains can operate in a phased manner with a maximum number of 100 people from September 7.
-Social/academic/sports/entertainment/religious/cultural/political and other gatherings shall be permitted with a maximum of 1000 persons from September 21.
-Open air theatres can be open to the public from September 21.
-At the discretion of the State government, 50% of teaching and non-teaching staff at a time can work from schools to impart online classes and other work.
-With the permission of their parents, students of classes 9 to 12 are allowed to visit their schools to consult with their teachers in areas outside containment zones.
-Skill or Entrepreneurship training will be permitted in National Skill Training Institutes, Industrial Training Institutes and registered short Term training centres.
-Interstate and Intrastate movement of persons and goods shall be permitted.
-Higher Education Institutions only for research scholars and post- graduate students requiring laboratory or experimental works may be allowed to function after the approval of the Department of Education in consultation with the MHA.
Strict lockdown shall continue in containment zones till September 30. Cinema Halls, swimming pools, entertainment parks shall remain closed. International travel shall not be permitted unless allowed by the MHA.
Besides encouraging the use of Aarogya Setu App, the guidelines also mandate compliance with the National Directives for Covid 19 management that include social distancing norms.
Lawcutor 