MHA Issues New Guidelines for Re-opening: What Remains Open, Closed, All You Need to Know

MHA Issues New Guidelines for Re-opening:- Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued new guidelines on 30 September, for opening of more activities outside the Containment Zones. These guidelines will come into effect from October 1, 2020, the process of re-opening of activities has been extended further. The new guidelines, issued from 1st October, are based on feedback received from States and UTs, and extensive consultations held with related Central Ministries and Departments. Check what remains open, closed, all You Need to Know about New Guidelines.

MHA Issues New Guidelines for Re-opening

• Cinemas/ Theaters/ Multiplexes shall be permitted to open with up to 50% of their seating capacity, For which, SOP shall be issued the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
• Business-to-business (B2B) exhibition shall be permitted to open for which, SOP shall be issued by the Department of Commerce.
• Swimming pool getting used coaching of sportspersons shall be permitted to open, For which, the usual working process (SOP) shall be issued by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (MOYA&S).
• Entertainment parks and comparable locations shall be permitted to open.

What Remains Open, Closed, All You Need to Know

Re-Opening of Schools, colleges, educational institutions, and coaching institutions

• For the Re-opening of schools and coaching institutions, State/ UT Governments have been given the freedom to choose after 15th October 2020. The decision shall be taken in discussion with the respective school/ institution management, based on their assessment of the situation, and subject to the following conditions:
• Online/ distance learning shall be preferred and shall be encouraged.
• Where schools are organizing online classes, and some students prefer to attend online classes rather than physically attend school, they may be allowed to do so.
• Students may be permitted in schools/ institutions only with the written consent of parents.
• Attendance must not be imposed and must depend entirely on parental permission.
• States /UTs will prepare their SOP regarding health and safety provisions for reopening of schools/ institutions based on the SOP to be issued by the Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), Ministry of Education, Government of India, keeping local necessities in view.
• Schools, which are allowed to open, will have to necessarily follow the SOP to be issued by Education Departments of States/ UTs.
• Department of Higher Education (DHE), Ministry of Education may take a conclusion on the timing of the opening of Colleges/ Higher Education Institutions, in consultation with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), based on the assessment of the situation. Online/ distance learning shall continue to be the preferred mode of teaching and shall be uplifted.
• However, Higher Education Institutions only for research scholars (Ph.D.) and post-graduate students in the science and technology stream requiring laboratory/ experimental works will be allowed to open from 15th October 2020, as under:
• For Centrally Funded Higher Education Institutions, the Head of Institution will reassure herself/ himself that there is a genuine requirement of research scholars (Ph.D.) and post-graduate students in the science and technology stream for laboratory/experimental works.
• For all other Higher Education Institutions e.g. State Universities, Private Universities, etc., they may open only for research scholars (Ph.D.) and postgraduate students in the science and technology stream needing laboratory/experimental works as per decision to be taken by the respective State/UT Governments.

Regulation of gatherings

• Social/ academic/ sports/ entertainment/ cultural/ religious/ political functions and other congregations have already been allowed with vaulting of 100 persons, outside Containment Zones only. Now State/ UT Governments have been given the order to permit such gatherings beyond the limit of 100 persons, outside Containment Zones, after 15th October 2020, which will be subject to the following conditions:
• In closed spaces, a maximum of 50% of the hall capacity will be permitted, with a ceiling of 200 persons. Wearing of face masks, maintaining social distancing, provision for thermal scanning and use of hand wash or sanitizer will be a must.
• In open spaces, keeping the size of the ground/ space in the view, and with strict observance of social distancing, the mandatory wearing of face masks, provision for thermal scanning and hand wash or sanitizer.
• To ensure that such gatherings do not spread COVID-19, State/ UT Governments will issue detailed SOPs to regulate such gathering and strictly impose the same.

All activities, except the following, shall be permitted outside containment zones: 

• International air travel of travelers, except as permitted by MHA.
• Entertainment parks will remain discontinued.

Lockdown shall continue to be performed strictly in the Containment Zones till 31st October 2020.

Containment Zones shall be bounded by the District authorities at the micro-level after taking into contemplation the guidelines of MoHFW to effectively break the chain of transmission. Strict containment measures will be imposed in these containment zones and only essential activities will be allowed.

Within the containment zones, strict control shall be maintained and only essential activities allowed.

These Containment Zones will be notified on the websites of the respective District Collectors and by the States/ UTs and information will also be shared with MOHFW.

States not to force any local lockdown outside Containment Zones

State/ UT Governments shall not impose any local lockdown (State/ District/ sub-division/City/ village level), outside the containment zones, without prior discussion with the Central Government.

No restriction on Inter-State and intra-State movement

There shall be no restriction on inter-State and intra-State movement of persons and goods. No separate permission/ approval/ e-permit will be mandatory.

National Directives for COVID-19 management

National Directives for COVID-19 management shall continue to be followed throughout the country, to make sure social distancing. Shops will need to maintain proper physical distancing among customers. MHA will monitor the effective implementation of National Directives.

Protection for vulnerable persons

Vulnerable persons, i.e., persons above 65 years of age, persons with co-morbidities, pregnant women, and children below the age of 10 years, are advised to stay at home, except for meeting essential requirements and for health purposes.

Use of Aarogya Setu

The use of the Aarogya Setu mobile application will continue to be stimulated.

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