Ministry of Home Affairs extends guidelines for reopening issued in Sept till Nov 30

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said in a notification on Wednesday that it has extended the guidelines for re-opening, issued on 30th September, to remain in force up to 30th November, 2020.

The MHA further said that there shall be no restriction on inter-state and intra-state movement of persons and goods. No separate permission/approval/e-permit will be required for such movements. The lockdown shall continue to be implemented strictly in the Containment Zones till 30th November, 2020, the order said

Re-opening of activities outside the Containment Zones

• 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.
• In respect of certain activities, having relatively higher degree of risk of COVID infection, 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 100 etc.
• After the last guidelines issued by MHA on 30.09.2020, the following activities are also permitted but with certain restrictions:

1. International air travel of passengers as permitted by MHA.
2. Swimming poolsbeing used for training of sportspersons.
3. Exhibitions halls for Business to Business (B2B) purposes.
4. Cinemas/ theatres/ multiplexes upto 50% of their seating capacity.
5. Social/ academic/ sports/ entertainment/ cultural/ religious/ politicalfunctions and other congregations, in closed spaces with a maximum of 50% of the hall capacity and subject to ceiling of 200 persons.

• Further decision regarding the above activities will be taken based on the assessment of the situationStrict enforcement of lockdown in Containment Zones till 30th November 2020 
• Lockdown shall continue to be implemented strictly in the Containment Zones till 30th November, 2020.
• Containment Zones shall be demarcated by the District authorities at 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.
• Within the containment zones, strict perimeter control shall be maintained and only essential activities allowed. 
• These Containment Zones will be notified on the websites of the respective District Collectors and by the States/ UTs and information will also be shared with MOHFW.States not to impose any local lockdown outside Containment Zones
• 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.No restriction on Inter-State and intra-State movement
• There shall be no restriction on inter-State and intra-State movement of persons and goods. No separate permission/ approval/ e-permit will be required for such movements.