Unlock 5 has started across the country from October 1, amid the havoc of the Corona virus. The Union Home Ministry on Wednesday issued new guidelines to allow more activities in areas outside the Containment Zones. These include opening of theaters and multiplexes from October 15 with 50 percent of their seating capacity. So let’s take a look on concessions and restrictions in Unlock 5.
Governments of states and UTs are allowed to take decisions regarding the reopening of schools and coaching institutes after October 15 in a phased manner. Restrictions on international travel will continue, except for centrally permitted travel in Unlock-5.
Some activities have been permitted from October 15, in which cinema, theater and multiplexes can be opened with 50 percent of their seating capacity and a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) will be issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Business to business (B2B) exhibitions will be allowed and SOP will be issued by the Department of Commerce.
The swimming pool being used for the training of the players will be allowed to open, for which the SOP will be issued by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. Amusement parks and similar locations will be allowed to open from 15 October. The SOP in this regard will be issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Governments of states and UTs have been allowed to allow social, religious and political gatherings outside the prohibited areas after October 15 to a limit of 100 persons. However, these will be subject to certain conditions such as maximum 50 percent will be allowed in halls with a capacity of 200 people and it will be mandatory to wear masks.
The lockdown will remain strictly enforced in the Containment Zone until 31 October. The Home Ministry reiterated that the states would not impose any local lockdown outside the Containment Zone without consulting the Central Government.
The ‘unlock’ process began in the country on June 1 and re-opened business, social, religious and other activities in a phased manner.
