The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Saturday issued new guidelines for phased re-opening of "all activities outside containment zones for the next one month beginning June 1".
"The guidelines will come into effect from June 1, 2020, and will be effective till June 30, 2020," MHA said in a release.
In Phase I, religious places and places of worship for public; hotels, restaurants and other hospitality services; and shopping malls; will be permitted to open from June 8, 2020. Govt to issue guidelines in this regard.
In Phase II, schools, colleges, educational/ training/ coaching institutions etc., will be opened after consultations with States and UTs.
Based on the assessment of the situation, in Phase III, international air travel of passengers, operation of Metro Rail, cinema halls, gymnasiums, swimming pools, entertainment parks etc. will be decided.
The lockdown shall continue to be implemented strictly in the containment zones till June 30, read the order. These will be demarcated by the State/ UT Governments, after taking into consideration the guidelines issued by the Health Ministry. The order has also directed States and UTs to identify Buffer Zones outside Containment Zones, where new COVID-19 cases are likely to occur.
The 'Night Curfew' shall continue to remain in force, on the movement of individuals, for all non-essential activities. However, the revised timings of the curfew will be from 9 pm to 5 am.
The order said that there shall be no restriction on intra-state and inter-state movement of persons and goods and no separate permission will be required for such movements.
MHA has advised vulnerable persons, i.e., persons above 65 years of age, persons with co-morbidities, pregnant women, and children below the age of 10 years, to stay at home, except for meeting essential requirements and for health purposes.
