Unlock 2.0: A List of Activities Allowed and What Still Remains Closed

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has released guidelines for Unlock 2.0, opening more activities from 1st July 2020. These guidelines have been issued, after having received feedback from the states and Union Territories, and extensively consulting with the central ministries and departments. As far as containment zones go, the lockdown will continue to be strictly enforced, with no relaxations given.

Here are the features stipulated in the guidelines for Unlock 2.0:

• After a careful assessment, operations will be extended for domestic flights and passenger trains, which had already been running to a limited extent so far.
• The curfew timings will be further relaxed, and a curfew will be in force from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. each night. For industrial units operating in multiple shifts, as well as the movement of persons and goods on national and state highways, the loading and unloading of cargo, and the movement of persons to their destinations after their disembarkation from buses, airplanes and trains, relaxations will be given for their seamless operations.
• Shops can now have more than five persons inside at a time, who will need to maintain adequate physical distance. This regulation is dependent on the area of the shop.
• Training institutions of the central and state governments are allowed to function from 15th July 2020.
• International air travel is permitted in a limited manner under the Vande Bharat mission. Further opening-up of international air travel will take place in a calibrated way.
• All schools, colleges and coaching institutions will remain closed until 31st July 2020.

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Besides the above, these are the activities which will be permitted in all areas except containment zones:

1. Metro rail
2. Theatres, cinema halls, bars, gymnasiums, entertainment parks, auditoriums, assembly halls, swimming pools, and other similar places
3. Social, political, cultural, entertainment, academic, sports and religious functions, and other large congregations

The dates for the opening of these activities will be decided separately, after assessing the situation.

In containment zones, the lockdown will continue to be implemented until 31st July 2020. These containment zones shall be carefully demarcated by the state or Union Territory’s government and will take into consideration the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MOHFW).  Within the containment zones, only essential activities will be allowed. Outside the containment zones, it will be up to the states and Union Territories to prohibit certain activities or impose restrictions, as deemed necessary. 

Henceforth, there will be no restriction on the inter-state and intra-state movement of persons and goods. There will be no need to get separate permission or approval, or an e-permit required for such movement.

Besides the above restrictions in place, vulnerable persons such as pregnant women, children below 10 years of age, elderly persons above 65 years, and persons with comorbidities, are advised to stay home, except for essential requirements and health purposes. Using the Aarogya Setu mobile application has been encouraged.

For any clarifications/feedback on the topic, please contact the writer at athena.rebello@cleartax.in