Unlock 4.0 guidelines & rules: What's new, what remains same

New guidelines of Unlock 4.0 were released on Saturday by the government. The MHA order allows certain phased re-opening of activities in the fourth round of unlocking, it has continued to extend lockdown in containment zones till September 30. An MHA release said that the new guidelines are based on feedback received from states and UTs and extensive consultations held with related central ministries and departments.

The guidelines issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs say that states can no longer impose lockdowns outside containment zones without the Centre’s permission and must not seal borders.

Metro trains will run for the first time since March starting September 7, “in a graded manner” while social, academic, sports, entertainment, cultural, religious, and political functions can be held with a maximum of 100 people from September 21. The Centre has also allowed operation of open-air theatres from September 21.

Here is what is allowed in Unlock 4:

1) Metro rail will be allowed to operate from September 7 in a graded manner.

2) No restrictions on the inter-state and intra-state movement of people and goods.

3) No separate permission or e-permits will be required.

4) Social/academic/sports/entertainment/cultural/religious/ political functions & other congregations will be permitted with a ceiling of 100 persons, from 21 September.

5) Open-air theatres will be permitted to open with effect from September 21.

6) From September 21, outside containment zones, States/ UTs may permit up to 50 percent of teaching and non-teaching staff to be called to the schools at a time for online teaching/ tele-counseling and related work.

7) Only essential services will be allowed in containment zones.

8) Lockdown will continue in the containment zones till September 30.

Here is what remains closed in Unlock 4

1) Schools, colleges, educational and coaching institutions will continue to remain closed for students.

2) Cinema halls, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres will continue to remain closed.

3) International air travel, except as permitted by MHA, to remain suspended.

4) 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.