KEY HIGHLIGHTS
As per existing guidelines, lockdown will continue to be imposed within containment zones.
The state governments have been barred from imposing local lockdowns outside containment zones
New Delhi: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), on Tuesday said that there will be no further relaxation in Unlock guidelines for the one month. The MHA issued a notification extending the unlock norms it had put in place on September 30.
Lockdown will continue to be implemented in containment zones till November 30. District administrations have been tasked to mark containment zones as per guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and states/ UTs and district administrations have been asked to notify containment zones.
Almost all the activities that were halted by the government on March 24 when the first COVID-19 lockdown was imposed, have been restored outside containment zones.
Besides, other activities such as Metro rail services, shopping malls and entertainment zones, restaurants, hospitality services, training institutes and religious places have been allowed to operate with restrictions.
State governments as well as union territories have been allowed to take decisions on certain activities such as schools and coaching institutes, universities, gatherings of people for various events including cremations, marriages besides others.
Following the September 30 order of the ministry, certain other activities were also allowed to resume across the country. They include -
International air travel
Swimming pools for training sportsmen
Cinemas/ multiplexes to operate with 50 per cent capacity
Social/ academic/ sports events should take place with 50 per cent occupancy of the stadium/ venue
The MHA has, from time to time, urged the state and union territories to ensure that citizens have been abiding by the national directives regarding COVID-19 management.
MHA Guidelines
Dear Chief Secretary,
Kindly refer to Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA')s Order of even number issued today whereby Guidelines for Re-opening dated 30.09.2020 have been extended up to 30.11.2020.
2. As you are aware, since the issuance of the first Order on lockdown measures by MHA on 24th March 2020, almost all activities have been gradually opened up in areas outside the Containment Zones. While most of the activities have been permitted, some activities involving large number of people, have been allowed with some restrictions and subject to SOPs being followed regarding health and safety precautions. These activities include - metro rail; shopping malls; hotel, restaurants and hospitality services; religious places; yoga and training institutes; gymnasiums; cinemas; entertainment park etc.
3. In respect of certain activities, having relatively higher degree of risk of COVIDinfection, State / UT Governments have been permitted to take decisions for their re-opening, based on the assessment of the situation and subject to SOPs. These activities include - schools and coaching institutes; State and private universities for research scholars; allowing gatherings above the limit of O00 etc.
4. As emphasized during various interactions/ communications, the essence behind graded re-opening and progressive resumption of activities is to move ahead. However, it does not mean the end of the pandemic. There is a need to exercise abundant caution by adopting COVID-19 appropriate behaviour by every citizen in their daily routine. A 'Jan AndoZan' was launched by the Hon'ble Prime Minister on 8th October 2020 on COVID-19 appropriate behavior to follow three mantras, namely, wearing face mask, washing hand frequently, and maintaining safe distance of 6 feet.
5. However, it has been reported that during the ongoing festival season, people are ignoring the cardinal safety requirements, such as wearing face masks and maintaining physical distancing in various gatherings. Such behavior poses a serious threat to public health, at a time when the number of active cases in the country is witnessing a falling trend.
6. There is, therefore, an urgent need to instill a sense of discipline and ownership amongst citizens in order that the resumption of activities is successful and gains made in the management of the pandemic are not diluted. Accordingly, you should endeavour to promote COVID-19 appropriate behavior extensively at the grass root level and take measures to enforce the wearing of mask, hand hygiene and social distancing. Further State / UT Governments should regulate various gatherings of people and strictly enforce the same as per their SOPs.
7.As emphasized in my earlier D.O. letters, States/Union Territories cannot dilute the guidelines issued by MHA under the Disaster Management Act 2005. It is reiterated that State/ UT Governments shall not impose any locallockdown, outside the containment zones, without prior consultation with the Central Government. Further there shall be no restriction on inter-State and intra-State movement of persons and goods including those for cross land-border trade under Treaties with neighboring countries.
8.I would urge you to ensure compliance of the aforesaid Order and direct all concerned authorities for its strict implementation. Further, guidelines issued by MHA and consequent Orders issued by the respective State Governments/ UT Administration should be widely disseminated to the public and to the field functionaries for implementation.
With regards,
Yours sincerely,
To
The Chief Secretaries of all States.
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