Key Provisions ‘Unlock-2’ Order dt. June 29, 2020 of Ministry of Home Affairs, GOI
1. Summary
• For Non-Containment Zones, all activities have been permitted, barring a few activities, dates for which will be decided separately, and necessary SOPs issued thereof. More activities will be permitted in a calibrated manner. However, in Containment Zones, lockdown has been extended till 31st July, 2020;
• 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, Shramik specials, domestic airlines, nationals stranded abroad, evacuation of foreign nationals 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 as required. 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;
• Night curfew from 10:00 pm to 5:00 am for non-essential activities; exceptions include essential activities as well as operation of industrial units in multiple shifts, movement of persons and goods on National and State Highways, loading and unloading of cargo and travel of persons to their destination after disembarking from buses, trains and airplanes.
• Employers on best effort basis to ensure 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;
2. In Containment Zones:
• All non-essential activities continue to be prohibited till 31st July 2020;
• Movement of people in or out of these zones prohibited (except for medical emergencies and for maintaining supply of essential goods and services);
• Activities in Containment Zones to be monitored strictly by the State and Union Territory authorities and the guidelines relating to containment zones.
3. Re-opening of activities outside Containment Zones:
All activities have been permitted outside Containment zones, except the following:
(i) Schools, colleges, educational and coaching institutions will remain closed till 31st July, 2020. Online/ distance learning shall continue to be permitted;
(ii) Training institutions of the Central and State Governments will be allowed to function from 15th July, 2020, for which Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) will be issued by the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT);
(iii) International air travel of passengers, except as permitted by MHA;
(iv) Metro Rail;
(v) Cinema halls, gymnasiums, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, bars, auditoriums, assembly halls and similar places.
(vi) Social/ political/ sports/ entertainment/ academic/ cultural/ religious functions and other large congregations.
Dates for re-starting the above activities may be decided separately and necessary SOPs shall be issued for ensuring social distancing and to contain the spread of COVID-19.
Domestic flights and passenger trains have already been allowed in a limited manner. Their operations will be further expanded in a calibrated manner.
Comparison between Unlock 1 Guidelines and Unlock 2 Guidelines
Unlock 1 Guidelines Unlock 2 Guidelines Implication
Movement of individuals shall remain strictly prohibited between 9pm to 5am throughout the country, except for essential activities. Local authorities shall issue orders, in the entire area of their jurisdiction, under appropriate provisions of law, such as under Section 144 of CrPC, and ensure strict compliance.
Movement of individuals strictly prohibited between 10pm to 5am throughout the country, except for essential activities, including operation of industrial units in multiple shifts, movement of persons and goods on National and State Highways, loading and unloading of cargo and travel of persons to their destinations after disembarking from buses, trains and airplanes. Local authorities shall issue orders, in the entire area of their jurisdiction, under appropriate provisions of law, such as under Section 144 of CrPC, and ensure strict compliance.
Timing of Night curfew has been changed to 10pm to 5am. Earlier the night curfew was imposed from 9 pm to 5 am.
Furthermore, it has been clarified that operation of industrial units in multiple shifts, movement of persons and goods on National and State Highways, loading and unloading of cargo and travel of persons to their destinations after disembarking from buses, trains and airplanes will not come within the ambit of night curfew.
Schools, Colleges, educational/training/coaching institutions etc. will be opened after consultation with States and UTs. State Governments/UT Administrations may hold consultation at the institutional level with parents and other stakeholders. Based on the feedback, a decision on the re-opening of these institution will be taken in the month of July, 2020 Schools, Colleges, educational and coaching institutions will remain closed till 31 July, 2020. Online/distance learning shall continue to be permitted and shall be encouraged.
Training institutions of the Central and State Government will be allowed to function from 15th July, 2020, for which Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) will be issued by the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT).
All Schools, Colleges, educational and coaching institutions will continue to remain closed till 31st July, 2020; e-learning has been encouraged.
Training institutions of the Central and State Government will open from 15th July, 2020 post issuance of SOP by the DoPT.
Activities in the Containment Zones shall be monitored strictly by the State/UT authorities, and the guidelines relating to containment measures in these zones shall be strictly implemented. A new duty has been cast upon the State/Union Territory authorities to monitor the activities inside these Containment Zones in order to ensure that necessary containment measures are strictly implemented.
Social Distancing: Individuals must maintain a minimum distance of 6 feet (2 gaz ki doori) in public places.
Shops will ensure physical distancing among customers and will not allow more than 5 persons at one time. Social Distancing: Individuals must maintain a minimum distance of 6 feet (2 gaz ki doori) in public places.
Shops will ensure physical distancing among customers. The maximum threshold of 5 customers at a time inside shops has now been removed. Social distancing norms among customers continue to be in force.
Additional Directives under Annexure 1 of Unlock 2 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 will ensure physical distancing among customers;
3. Gatherings: Large public gathering/congregations will continue to remain prohibited;
Marriage related gatherings: Number of guests not to exceed 50;
Funeral/last rites related gatherings: Number of persons not to exceed 20;
4. 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);
5. Consumption of liquor, paan, gutka, tobacco etc. in public places is prohibited.
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 and sanitizer will be made at all entry and exit points and 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.
