Shopping Malls to open from June 8, Theaters to remain shut
Mumbai, May 30 : Union Government tonight extended the lockdown in containment zones till June 30 and allowed economic activities to start outside containment zones in a phased manner.
The fourth phase of the nation-wide lockdown is slated to end tomorrow.
A government order said tonight that the fifth lockdown phase would be strictly enforced in accordance with the new guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in consultation with the state governments and union territories. The Union Home Minister Amit Shah had a meeting with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and informed him of the developments and various inputs by the Chief Ministers.
In phase one, religious places and places of worships , hotels and restaurants and shopping malls would be allowed to remain open from June 8. This would however be subject to conditions imposed by the Health Ministry such as social distancing.
In phase two, schools and colleges would be allowed to open. However, the state governments have been asked to hold consultation with the parents and other stakeholders. Based on the feedback, a decision on reopening of these educational institutions would be taken in July 2020.
A limited number of activities will however be prohibited all over the country. These are international air travel of passengers, operation of Metro Rail, Cinema halls, Gymnasiums, Swimming Pools, Entertainment Parks, Theatres, Bars, Auditoriums, assembly halls and similar places of public gatherings.
In phase 3, dates for their opening will be decided based on assessment of the situation, the Government Circular said.
The containment Zones shall be demarcated by the states after taking Into consideration the guidelines issued by the Health Ministry. Within the containment zones, strict perimeter control shall be maintained and only essential services shall be allowed. However, there shall be no restriction on inter-state and intra-state movement of persons and goods. Also no separate permission or approval or any e-permit shall be required for such movements.
The night curfew shall remain in force for all non-essential services. However the revised timings will be from 9 am to 5 am. People above the age of 65 years with co-morbidities, pregnant women and children below 10 years have been advised to stay at home.
