Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi (SHP)

New Delhi, Jul 29: As part of the phased reopening of the country in Unlock 3, the government on Wednesday issued an official statement with guidelines for more opening more activities in areas of outside the containment zones. The Unlock 3 will come in effect from August 1.

As per the release, the guidelines have been issued based on the feedback from the states, UTs and the Central ministries and departments.

What is allowed, what is not:

• Restrictions on the movement of individuals during the night (night curfew) have been removed.
• Yoga institutes, gymnasiums allowed to open from August 5. Standard operating procedure (SOP) in this regard will be issued by the
  Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) ensuring social distancing and to curb the spread of COVID-19.
• Independence Day functions allowed with social distancing and by adhering to health norms. For this reason, MHA guidelines issued on July 21, are to be followed.
• After extensive consultations with states and UTs, schools, colleges and coaching institutions to remain closed until August 31.
• International air travel of passengers permitted in a limited manner under Vande Bharat Mission.
• All activities except the below will be permitted outside the containment zones:
  • Metro Rail
  • Cinema hall, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, bars, auditoriums, assembly halls and similar places.
  • Social/political/sports/entertainment/academic/cultural/religious functions and other large congregations.

Based on the assessment of the situation, dates for the opening of the above will be separately decided, the release said.

• The lockdown will continue to strictly prevail in the containment zones until August 31. These zones are to be accurately demarcated by the state and UT governments in order to curb the further spread of coronavirus, after taking into consideration the guidelines by MoHFW.
• The release also required the state and UT governments to maintain strict perimeter control and allow the operation of only essential activities.
• Those defined as containment zones will be notified on the websites of the respective district collectors and by the states/UTs and information of the same will be shared with MoHFW.
• The activities carried out in these zones will be strictly monitored by state and UT authorities. The containment zones are also required to strongly follow the guidelines relating to containment measures.
• MoHFW will monitor the proper delineation of containment zones and implementation of containment measures.

States to decide on activities outside containment zones

States and UTs based on their assessment of the situation are permitted to prohibit certain activities outside the containment zones or impose such restrictions as deemed necessary. However, there cannot be a restriction on inter-state and intra-state movement of people and goods. No separate permission/approval/e-permit is required for such movements.

National Directives for COVID-19 management

National directives for COVID-19 management shall continue to be followed throughout the country with a view to ensure social distancing. Shops are required to maintain adequate physical distance among their customers. MHA will monitor the effective implementation of National Directives.

Protection for vulnerable persons

Those who are above 65 years of age, people having co-morbidities, pregnant women and children below 10 years of age come under the category of vulnerable people. These are therefore advised to stay home and will be allowed to venture outside only under emergencies.

Use of Aarogya Setu App

The use of the health tracking app, Aarogya Setu will continue to be encouraged.

According to the guidelines, any person violating these measures will be liable to be proceeded against as per the provisions of sections 51-60 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, besides legal action under section 188 of the IPC and other provisions.

The announcement came as the country logged more than 15 lac coronavirus cases and the daily spike in cases grew close to 50,000.