YD NEWS |Lockdown extended in containment zones till June 30.
Shopping malls will be permitted to open from June 8, as Central Government issued a new order to restart economic activities in a phased manner outside containment zones. The decision of opening of school college will be taken in July
The central government has issued a new order regarding lockdown on Saturday. As per the new order, the Centre Government on Saturday extended the lockdown in containment zones till June 30. And also said that all economic activities can restart in a phased manner outside those zones.
In India, the fourth phase of the nationwide lockdown, due to the coronavirus outbreak, was scheduled to end on 31st May.
Containment zones will have to follow all rules strictly. As the new order said that there will be strict enforcement of lockdown in containment zones.
“Home Ministry extended the lockdown with new guidelines”
The MHA said in new guidelines that, this has been issued after extensive consultations with states and union territories. Indian Home minister Amit Shah had discussions with chief ministers on Thursday. And after the discussion, he then met with Prime Minister Modi. In meeting with PM Modi he informed him about the inputs from various CMs. And on Saturday, the home ministry extended the lockdown.
“Shopping malls will be permitted to open from June 8”
The order said that religious places and places of worship for public, hotels, restaurants, and other hospitality services in phase I. And shopping malls will also be permitted to open from June 8.
“Health Ministry will issue SOPs for ensuring social distancing and to contain the spread of COVID-19”
In consultation with the Central Ministries and departments concerned and other stakeholders, the health ministry will issue SOPs for the above activities. That all will be for ensuring social distancing and to contain the spread of Covid-19.
“The decision of opening of school and college will be taken in the month of July”
There are also new guidelines for up-coming Phase II, and schools, colleges, etc may also be open in Phase II. All the state governments have been advised to hold consultations at the institution level with parents and other stakeholders. And based on the feedback, a decision on the re-opening of school in July will be taken in the month of July 2020. For ensuring social distancing and to contain the spread of COVID-19 the ministry will then prepare SOP for these institutions.
“Services like Operation of Metro rail, Cinema halls, Bars, Gymnasiums International air travel of passengers and sporting activity, will still be shut”
Now only a limited number of activities will remain prohibited throughout India. As some of the services still have to shut like Operation of Metro Rail, cinema halls, gymnasiums, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, International air travel of passengers, bars and auditoriums, assembly halls, and similar places. Large gatherings are still not allowed as social, political, sporting activities, cultural, and religious functions, and other large congregations will remain out of bounds. Dates for their opening will be decided based on an assessment of the situation in Phase III.
“The state government will demarc the containment zones in their respective state”
The state government will play an important role now as the containment zones will be demarcated by the states. And that’s all after taking into consideration the guidelines issued by the Health Ministry. Strict perimeter control shall be maintained and only essential activities allowed within the containment zones.
Now there shall be no restriction on inter-state and intra-state movement of persons and goods. As per the new order, no separate permission or approval or any e-permit will be required for such movements.
The order said, night curfew, will remain in force for all non-essential activities. But the revised timings of the curfew will be from 9 pm to 5 am.
Elders above 65 years and children below the age of 10 years are advised to stay at home
The new order also mentions people above 65 years of age, with co-morbidities, pregnant women, and children below the age of 10 years, and all of these people are advised to stay at home.
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