The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has notified that guidelines for re-opening of activities issued under the MHA Order dated September 30, 2020 will remain in force till November 30, 2020. With this extension, the existing guidelines under MHA Unlock 5.0 needs to be adhered to and the lockdown in Containment Zones will continue to be effective till November 30, 2020.

Key Provisions: ‘Unlock-5 Order dt. September 30, 2020 of Ministry of Home Affairs, GOI

• In Containment Zones, lockdown has been extended till 31st October 2020. 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;

• 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;

• States or Union Territory Governments shall not dilute these Guidelines;

• States or Union Territory Governments may use the provisions of Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) of 1973 for the enforcement of social distancing;

• 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;

• 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;

• Containment Zones to be notified on the websites by respective District Collectors and by the States / Union Territories;

• Employers to ensure (on best effort basis) that Aarogya Setu App is installed by all employees having compatible mobile phones;

• 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;

1. In Containment Zones:

• All non-essential activities continue to be prohibited till 31st October, 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).

2. Re-opening of activities outside Containment Zones:
All activities have been permitted outside Containment Zones, except the following which shall be re-opened in a phased manner:
(i) State/ Union Territory Governments may take a decision in consultation with the respective school/ institution management, in respect of re-opening of schools and coaching institutions, after 15th October 2020, in a graded manner. Such decision must be based on the assessment of the situation and subject to the following conditions:
• Online/ distance learning to continue to be the preferred mode of teaching and must be encouraged.
• 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.
• States / Union Territories will prepare their own standard operating procedure (SOP) regarding health and safety precautions for reopening of schools/ institutions based on the SOP to be issued by Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), Ministry of Education, Government of India, keeping local requirements in view.
• Schools, which are allowed to open, must follow the SOP to be issued by Education Departments of States/ UTs.
(ii) Higher Education Institutions only for research scholars (Ph.D) and post-graduate students in science and technology stream requiring laboratory/ experimental works will be permitted to open from 15th October, 2020, as under:
• For Centrally Funded Higher Education Institutions, the Head of Institution will satisfy herself/ himself that there is a genuine requirement of research scholars (Ph.D) and post-graduate students in science and technology stream for laboratory/experimental works;
• For all other Higher Education Institutions e.g. State Universities, Private Universities etc., they may open only for research scholars (Ph.D) and postgraduate students in science and technology stream requiring laboratory/experimental works as per decision to be taken by the respective State/UT Governments,
• Department of Higher Education (DHE), Ministry of Education may take a decision on the timing of the opening of Colleges/ Higher Education Institutions, in consultation with Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), based on the assessment of the situation. Online/ distance learning shall continue to be the preferred mode of teaching and shall be encouraged.
(iii) Swimming pools being used for training of sportspersons are permitted to open from 15th October, 2020, for which the SOP will be issued by Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (MoYA&S).
(iv) The following are permitted to open in areas outside the Containment Zones only, with effect from 15th October 2020:
• Cinemas/theatres/ multiplexes with upto 50% of their seating capacity. SOP in this regard will be issued by Ministry of Information & Broadcasting.
• Entertainment parks and similar places, for which the SOP will be issued by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW).
• Business to Business (B2B) Exhibitions, for which SOP will be issued by the Department of Commerce.
• Social / political / sports / entertainment / academic / cultural / religious functions and other large congregations beyond the limit of 100 persons subject to the following conditions:
i. 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;
ii. 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;
State/ UT Governments will issue detailed SOPs, to regulate such gatherings and strictly enforce the same;
(v) International air travel of passengers, except as permitted by MHA.

National Directives under Annexure 1 of Unlock 5 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: Ministry of Home Affairs

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