New Delhi, Aug 29 (IANS): The Ministry of Home Affairs on Saturday said that there shall be no restriction on inter-State and intra-State movement of persons and goods, and no separate permission/ e-permit will be required for such movements during Unlock 4.
In a statement the MHA said, "State/ UT Governments shall not impose any local lockdown (State/ District/ sub-division/City/ village level), outside the containment zones, without prior consultation with the central government."
Emphasizing on the adherence of national directives for Covid-19 management, the MHA said national directives for COVID-19 management shall continue to be followed throughout the country, with a view to ensure social distancing. "Shops will need to maintain adequate physical distancing among customers. MHA will monitor the effective implementation of National Directives", added the statement.
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The Centre also emphasized on the use of Aarogya Setu mobile application and urged people to continue its usage.
For the vulnerable section of the population, the MHA said, "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 essential requirements and for health purposes."
MHA allows metro operations in graded manner from Sept 7
In a reprieve for many people seeking to resume travel through public transport, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Saturday decided to allow the resumption of metro operations from September 7 in a graded manner.
The MHA has issued new guidelines for opening up of more activities in areas outside the containment Zones. Unlock 4, will come into effect from September 1.
"Metro rail will be allowed to operate with effect from 7th September 2020 in a graded manner, by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MOHUA)/ Ministry of Railways (MOR), in consultation with MHA. In this regard, Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) will be issued by MOHUA", said a statement issued by MHA.
The new guidelines, issued today, are based on feedback received from states and UTs, and extensive consultations held with related central ministries and departments.
However, schools, colleges, educational and coaching institutions will continue to remain closed for students and regular class activity upto September 30.
The Centre has also permitted social/ academic/ sports/ entertainment/ cultural/ religious/ political functions and other congregations with a ceiling of 100 persons, with effect from September 21. However, such limited gatherings can be held with mandatory directives like wearing of face masks, social distancing, provision for thermal scanning and hand washing or use of sanitiser.
Open air theatres will also be permitted from September 21.
Class 9-12 students may voluntarily visit schools
While schools and colleges will continue to remain closed for regular activities during Unlock 4, students of classes 9 to 12 may be permitted to visit their schools that are in areas outside the Containment Zones on a voluntary basis, to take guidance from their teachers, said the MHA on Saturday.
This will be subject to the written consent of their parents or guardians.
The MHA further clarified that skill or Entrepreneurship training will also be permitted in National Skill Training Institutes, Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), Short term training centres registered with the National Skill Development Corporation or State Skill Development Missions or other Ministries of the Government of India or state governments.
"National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD), Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE) and their training providers will also be permitted," said the MHA guideline. All these will be allowed post September 21 for which SOPs will also be allowed.
Meanwhile, higher education institutions only for research scholars like PhD and post-graduate students of technical and professional programmes requiring laboratory or experimental may also be allowed. But these will be permitted by the Department of Higher Education (DHE) in consultation with MHA, based on the assessment of the situation, and keeping in view incidence of COVID-19 in the States and UTs.
Outside containment zones, all activities save cinema halls, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres (excluding open air theatre) and similar places are allowed. Meanwhile international air travel also remains out of bounds except as permitted by the MHA.
However Lockdown will continue to be implemented strictly in the Containment Zones till September 30, 2020.
It further adds that Containment Zones shall be demarcated by the district authorities at a micro level after taking into consideration the guidelines of MoHFW with the objective of effectively breaking the chain of transmission. Strict containment measures will be enforced in these containment zones and only essential activities will be allowed, adds the MHA.
Unsurprisingly, within the Containment Zones, strict perimeter controls are to be maintained and only essential activities are allowed. These zones will be notified on the websites of the respective district collectors and by the States or UTs and information will also be shared with MOHFW.
However, the MHA has categorically said that states will not impose any local lockdown, at the State, district, sub-division, city or village level outside the containment zones, without prior consultation with the Central Government.