In keeping with the increasing easing of the lockdown, the Central government on Saturday set out a three-phase "unlock" plan that will restrict curbs to containment zones and permit reopening of malls, hotels and restaurants, inter-state travel and religious places in keeping with rules (SOPs) to be issued by the health ministry.
The MHA sought to underline the shrinking footprint of the lockdown, calling the latest guidelines "unlock 1" and saying "...they will have an economic focus. The new guidelines have been issued based on extensive consultations with states and UTs." The night curfew has been retained, with a shortened period of 9 pm-5 am instead of the previous 7 pm-7 am routine where movement for non-essential reasons is banned.
As Lockdown 4.0 ended on May 31, the limiting of curbs to containment zones where only essential services will be allowed, even though the daily count of cases is growing, reflects the Centre's assessment that the Covid curve is not assuming runaway proportions and can be managed with a focus on hotspots. It is also felt that so far the increase in number of cases due to the return of migrants to the hinterland is not unmanageable and can be monitored.
While shopping malls and eateries can open after June 8, no date has been specified for reopening of international travel, metro rail, gyms, swimming pools, bars, theatres and places of public assembly. Religious, social and political congregations are also banned. Decisions on these activities will await a more detailed assessment of the health situation and the trends regarding the prevalence of the disease in India and abroad.
A call will be taken in July, based on consultations with the states, and also discussions the states themselves will conduct, with regard to schools, colleges, coaching and training institutions. Stakeholders such as parents are also to be consulted. Rules will be drawn up by the health ministry and the NCERT is also working to guidelines that aim to ensure social distancing and hygiene in educational institutions once they are permitted to reopen.
As far as containment zones are concerned, the lockdown stands extended until June 30. However, the individual states and Union territories, based on their own assessment, will be free to prohibit certain activities outside containment zones or impose curbs as they feel necessary. Even where it comes to inter-state travel, states can, for reasons of public health, impose restrictions.
Gujarat unlocks
Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani announced on Saturday that barring containment zones – where no relaxations have been granted – all other areas in the state will be opened up for commercial activity.
Signalling the government’s clear intent to open up commercial establishments and the service sector to full steam, the government announced that hotels, malls, shops in malls, restaurants and religious places will open in Gujarat from June 8. Odd-even system has also been removed. However, they will have to strictly follow a standard operating procedure (SOP) that will be announced later.
The government also announced further relaxation in timings for keeping shops and establishments open as well as night curfew. From Monday, economic activity outside containment areas were allowed to continue until 7 pm instead of 4 pm allowed in Lockdown 4.0. Also, the night curfew timings have been truncated which will be in force only from 9 pm to 5 am from Monday instead of 7 am to 7 pm in Lockdown 4.0.
