The Government of Chandigarh has in an Order dated 31st August, 2020 extended lockdown in Containment Zones of the Union Territory till 30th September, 2020 in consonance with the MHA Unlock 4 Order (dated 29th August, 2020).
Key Takeaways:
1. All activities have been permitted in Non-Containment Zones, barring a few activities, dates for which have been specified in some cases or will be decided separately for others, and necessary SOPs issued thereof for ensuring social distancing and to contain the spread of COVID-19;
2. State or Union Territory Governments shall not impose any local lockdown outside Containment Zones at State/ District / sub-division/ City-level, without prior consultation with the Central Government;
3. Metro rail will be allowed to operate with effect from 7th September 2020, in a graded manner by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MOHUA)/ Ministry of Railways (MOR), in consultation with MHA. In this regard, SOP will be issued by MOHUA;
4. No restriction on inter-State and intra-State movement of persons and goods including those for cross land-border trade under Treaties with neighbouring countries. Separate permission/ approval/ permit shall not be required for such movement. However, movement of passenger trains, domestic passenger air travel, Vande Bharat and Air Transport Bubble flights and sign-on and sign-off of Indian seafarers will continue to be regulated by SOPs issued earlier;
5. Enforcement of lockdown is limited to Containment Zones; with strict perimeter control, intensive contact tracing, house to house surveillance and other clinical interventions required as per guidelines of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW). States and Union Territories may identify Buffer Zones outside Containment zones, with restrictions as prescribed by District authorities;
6. Containment Zones to be notified on the websites by respective District Collectors and by the States / Union Territories;
7. Employers to ensure on best effort basis that Aarogya Setu App is installed by all employees having compatible mobile phones;
8. Persons above 65 years; with co-morbidities, pregnant women and children below 10 years to stay at home, except for essential activities and health purposes;
In Containment Zones:
• All non-essential activities continue to be prohibited till 30th September, 2020;
• Movement of people in or out of these zones is prohibited (except for medical emergencies and for maintaining supply of essential goods and services).
Re-opening of activities outside Containment Zones:
All activities have been permitted outside Containment Zones, except the following:
• Schools, colleges, educational and coaching institutions for students and regular class activities till 30th September, 2020. Online/ distance learning shall continue to be permitted and shall be encouraged.
• From 21st September, 2020 onwards, the following will be permitted subject the specific Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) which will be issued by the MoHFW:
a. 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, in areas outside the Containment Zones only;
b. 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;
c. 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. National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD), Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE) and their training providers will also be permitted;
d. Higher Education Institutions only for research scholars (Ph.D.) and post-graduate students of technical and professional programmes requiring laboratory/ experimental works will be permitted by the Department of Higher Education (DHE) in consultation with MHA, based on the assessment of the situation, and keeping in view incidence of COVID-19 in the States/ UTs.
• International air travel of passengers, except as permitted by MHA;
• Cinema halls, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, and similar places will remain closed. However, open air theatres will be permitted to open with effect from 21st September, 2020;
• Social / political / sports / entertainment / academic / cultural / religious functions and other large congregations with a ceiling of 100 persons, will be permitted with effect from 21st September, 2020, with mandatory wearing of face masks, social distancing, provision for thermal scanning and hand wash or sanitizer.
Till 20th September, 2020, marriages and funeral gatherings must observe the restrictions earlier notified after which the ceiling of 100 persons will apply:
a. gatherings relating to marriage must not have guests exceeding 50 in number.
b. for funeral/ last rites related gatherings the number of persons must not exceed 20.
National Directives under Annexure 1 of Unlock 4 Guidelines:
General:
1. Face coverings: Wearing of face cover is compulsory in public places; in workplaces; and during transport;
2. Social Distancing: Individuals must maintain a minimum distance of 6 feet (2 gaz ki doori) in public places; shops to ensure physical distancing among customers;
3. Spitting in public places will be punishable with fine (as may be prescribed by the State/UT local authority in accordance with its laws, rules or regulations);
Additional requirements in all Workplaces:
1. Work from home (WFH): As far as possible the practice of WFH should be followed;
2. Staggering of work/business hours will be followed in offices, workplaces, shops, markets and industrial & commercial establishments;
3. Screening & Hygiene: Provision for thermal scanning, hand wash or sanitizer will be made at all entry and exit points along with common areas;
4. Frequent sanitization of entire workplace, common facilities and all points which come into human contact e.g. door handles etc., will be ensured, including between shifts;
5. Social distancing: All persons in charge of workplaces to ensure adequate distance between workers, adequate gaps between shifts, staggering the lunch breaks of staff etc.
Source: Government of Chandigarh
