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The government on Wednesday issued new guidelines for permitting more activities to open from October 15, outside the Containment Zones. This includes opening up of cinemas/theatres/multiplexes up to 50 per cent of their seating capacity.
For re-opening of schools and coaching institutions, State/UT governments have been given the flexibility to take a decision after October 15, in a graded manner, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said in a statement.
“The new guidelines, issued, are based on the feedback received from States and UTs, and extensive consultations held with related Central Ministries and Departments,” it said.
It said online/distance learning should continue to be the preferred mode of teaching and shall be encouraged. If students prefer attending online classes they must be permitted.
Students may attend schools/institutions only with the written consent of parents, it further said adding that attendance must not be enforced, and must depend entirely on parental consent.
Research work
However, Higher Education Institutions only for research scholars (PhD) and post-graduate students in science and technology stream requiring laboratory/experimental works will be permitted to open from October 15.
The activities permitted from October 15, in areas outside the Containment Zones also include Swimming pools being used for training of sportspersons; entertainment parks and similar places.
Congregations, gatherings
On social, academic, sports, entertainment, cultural, religious, political functions and other congregations, the State governments have been given flexibility to permit such gatherings beyond the limit of 100 persons (earlier guidelines permitted up to 100 people), outside Containment Zones, after October 15.
Some of the conditions for this include — a maximum of 50 per cent of the hall capacity will be allowed in closed spaces, with a ceiling of 200 persons. Wearing of face masks, maintaining social distancing, provision for thermal scanning and use of hand wash or sanitiser will be mandatory.
Similar steps should be followed in open spaces too, the MHA said.
There shall be no restriction on inter-State and intra-State movement of persons and goods. No separate permission/approval/e-permit will be required for such movements.
However, international air travel of passengers, except as permitted by the MHA will continue and lockdown will continue to be implemented strictly in the Containment Zones till October 31, it added.
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