Unlock 3.0: No night curfew; opening of gyms, yoga classes allowed

Mukesh Ranjan

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 29

The government on Wednesday issued guidelines for Unlock 3.0 to be implemented from August 1 and will remain operational till August 31, as it lifted night curfew and allowed Yoga institutes and gymnasiums to open from August 5.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) will be issued for Yoga institutes and gymnasiums by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) for ensuring social distancing and to contain the spread of COVID-19.

However, it decided against opening of cinema halls, theatres and auditoriums despite favourable recommendations were made by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on the basis of representations made by the entertainment industry.

What is allowed

• Night curfew lifted between 10 pm and 5 am
• Yoga institutes, gymnasiums to open with SOP from Aug 5
• Independence Day functions with norms specified by MHA
• International air travel to resume in a calibrated manner

What is not allowed 

• Schools, colleges and coaching institutions
• Cinema halls, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, bars, auditoriums, assembly halls and similar places
• Metro Rail
• Social, political, sports, entertainment, academic, cultural, religious functions and other large congregations

(Dates for opening of these will be decided separately, based on assessment of situation)

Schools, colleges and coaching institutions shall also remain closed till August 31, it added.

The MHA said, Independence Day functions “will be allowed with social distancing and by following other health protocols, e.g. wearing of masks, etc.,” and in this regard instructions, issued earlier shall be followed.

MHA officials said the guidelines have been issued for opening up of more activities in areas outside the Containment Zones. “In Unlock 3.0, which will come into effect from August 1, 2020, the process of phased re-opening of activities have further been extended on the basis of feedback received from States and UTs, and extensive consultations held with related Central Ministries and Departments,” said a senior MHA official.

“Lockdown shall continue to be implemented strictly in the Containment Zones till August 31, 2020. Containment Zones are required to be carefully demarcated by the State/ UT Governments with a view to contain the spread of COVID-19, after taking into consideration the guidelines issued by Ministry of health & family Welfare (MOHFW). Within the containment zones, strict perimeter control shall be maintained and only essential activities allowed,” the MHA said. 

Restrictions on the movement of vulnerable persons, including those above 65 years of age, having co-morbidities, pregnant women and children below the age of 10 years shall continue, as they are advised to stay at home, except for meeting essential requirements and for health purposes, it said, reiterating efforts to encourage use of Aarogya Setu mobile app.