COVID guidelines: Flexibility to States on reopening of schools

In these guidelines, which will come into effect from October 1, 2020, the process of re-opening of activities has been extended further.

Salient features of the new guidelines

The following activities are permitted from October 15, 2020, in areas outside the 'Containment Zones':

 Cinemas/ theatres/ multiplexes will be permitted to open with upto 50% of their seating capacity, for which, SOP will be issued by Ministry of Information & Broadcasting.

 Business to Business (B2B) Exhibitions will be permitted to open, for which, SOP (Standard Operating Procedures) will be issued by the Department of Commerce.

 Swimming pools being used for training of sportspersons will be permitted to open, for which the standard operating procedure (SOP) will be issued by Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (MoYA&S).

 Entertainment parks and similar places will be permitted to open, for which the SOP will be issued by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW).

Schools, colleges, education institutions & coaching institutions: For re-opening of schools and coaching institutions, State/ UT Governments have been given the flexibility to take a decision after October 15, 2020, in a graded manner.

 Where schools are conducting online classes, and some students prefer to attend online classes rather than physically attend school, they may be permitted to do so.

* Students may attend schools/ institutions only with the written consent of parents.

* Attendance must not be enforced, and must depend entirely on parental consent.

Regulation of gatherings: Social/ academic/ sports/ entertainment/ cultural/ religious/ political functions and other congregations have already been permitted with a ceiling of 100 persons, outside Containment Zones only.

Now State/ UT Governments have been given the flexibility to permit such gatherings beyond the limit of 100 persons, outside Containment Zones, after October 15, 2020, which will be subject to the following conditions:

* In closed spaces, a maximum of 50% of the hall capacity will be allowed, with a ceiling of 200 persons. Wearing of face masks, maintaining social distancing, provision for thermal scanning and use of hand wash or sanitizer will be mandatory.

* In open spaces, keeping the size of the ground/ space in view, and with strict observance of social distancing, mandatory wearing of face masks, provision for thermal scanning and hand wash or sanitizer.

* To ensure that such gatherings do not spread COVID-19, State/ UT Governments will issue detailed SOPs to regulate such gathering, and strictly enforce the same.

All activities, except the following, shall be permitted outside containment zones: International air travel of passengers, except as permitted by MHA.

Lockdown shall continue to be implemented strictly in the Containment Zones till October 31, 2020.

* 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.

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.

Protection for vulnerable persons: 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 meeting essential requirements and for health purposes.

Aarogya Setu: The use of Aarogya Setu mobile application will continue to be encouraged. (PIB)

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