Unlock5 guidelines to stay in force till end of November

The Covid-19 pandemic is under control right now, but the government fears the ongoing festival season and winter may push up the cases once again. Despite the fear, the Ministry of Home Affairs has said that the Unlock5 guidelines issued last month will be valid till November 30.

Cinema halls, swimming pools for sports training and gatherings with restrictions will remain open till further orders.

#Unlock5 Guidelines extended till 30.11.2020. No further relaxation although I anticipated that the ceiling limit might increase from present 200 pic.twitter.com/aWfakH6c8F

— CA Rohit kapoor (@whorohitkapoor) October 27, 2020

“The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued an order today to extend the guidelines for re-opening, issued on 30.09.2020, to remain in force upto 30.11.2020,” a Press Information Bureau release said.

In September, the MHA had allowed resumption of cinema halls with 50 per cent occupancy, international air travel as permitted by the government and gatherings in closed spaces with 50 per cent strength, not exceeding 200 people. All these relexations will stay.

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While most of the activities have been permitted in areas outside containment zones, some high-risk activities will function as per the orders of respective state/Union Territory governments, the statement said. “These activities include – schools and coaching institutes; state and private universities for research scholars; allowing gatherings above the limit of 100 etc,” it read.

Political gatherings in poll-bound Bihar and those constituencies where bypolls will happen, have been allowed with attendance of not more than 200 people. These gatherings can only take place outside containment zones.

On Monday (October 27), India reported its lowest number of new coronavirus infections since mid-July with a jump of 36,370 fresh COVID-19 cases in a day. The Centre though has advised caution and asked people to follow guidelines to avoid a fresh wave of infections across the country.

“The need is to instill a sense of discipline and ownership among citizens in order that the resumption of activities is successful and gains made in the management of the pandemic are not diluted,” it said.