Unlock 4.0, the fourth phase of opening of the economy after coronavirus lockdown, will start from September 1.
In the guidelines issued by the MHA for the fourth phase of coming out of the lockdown or Unlock 4 , metro trains to resume functioning in a phased manner from September 7 and ceiling for gatherings has been set at 100 persons.
The fresh guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs further provide for relaxations for areas outside of the containment zones. In these guidelines, which will come into effect from September 1, metro trains can function in a graded manner.
The MHA has also permitted Social/ academic/ sports/ entertainment/ cultural/ religious/ political functions and other congregations to take place with a ceiling limit of 100 persons starting September 21. These gatherings, however, will have a mandatry requirement of all attendees to wear face masks and observe distancing norms.
Additionally, open-air theatres can begin functioning from September 21.
As regards schools, colleges and other educational institutions, their functioning shall remain closed till September 30 and online and distance learning is not only permitted, but encouraged. However, some activities are permitted subject to compliance with the SOP to be laid down by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW). These are:
- States/ UTs may permit upto 50% of teaching and non-teaching staff to be called to the schools at a time for online teaching/ tele- counselling and related work.
- Students of classes 9 to 12 may be permitted to visit their schools, in areas outside the Containment Zones only, on voluntary basis, for taking guidance from their teachers. This will be subject to written consent of their parents/ guardians.
- Skill or Entrepreneurship training will be permitted in National Skill Training Institutes, Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), Short term training centres registered with National Skill Development Corporation or State Skill Development Missions or other Ministries of Government of India or State Governments.
What continues to be strictly closed in Unlock 4 is cinema halls, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres as well as international travel except what is allowed by the MHA.
Complete lockdown in containment zones in Unlock 4 to continue till September 30 and these zones shall be demarcated by the District authorities in line with the guidelines laid down by the MoHFW.
The MHA guidelines in Unlock 4 stresses that “States not to impose any local lockdown outside Containment Zones” without prior consultation with the Central government.
There shall be no restriction on inter-State and intra-State movement and the national directives of COVID-19 management to be continued to be followed.
Read the Guidelines here:
