Unlock 2.0: States Issue Fresh Guidelines As COVID-19 Cases Continue To Increase

New Delhi: The central government has started the second phase of unlocking the country which came under a nationwide lockdown on March 25 in a bid to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. The county was in total lockdown for over 60 days and unlocking started on June 8 to revive the economy. The central government issues issued new guidelines on Monday (June 29) after which several states have also issued their respective guidelines in order to either ensure that opening up activities are done in the safest way possible or to resort to varying degrees of lockdown to tackle the surge in coronavirus cases.

Also Read: ASHA Workers Played Critical Role In COVID-19 Management In Uttar Pradesh, Tracked 30.43 Lakh Migrant Returnees

The guidelines issues by the Ministry of Home Affaris (MHA) specify that in every state [ersons 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 essential and health purposes, stated the guideline. The schools, colleges, educational and coaching institutions would remain closed till July 31, 2020. MHA also lists the activities not allowed during Unlock 2.0 which include international air travel of passengers, except as permitted by MHA; Metro Rail, cinema halls, gymnasiums, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, bars, auditoriums, assembly halls and similar places; social/political/sports/entertainment/academic/cultural-religious functions and other large congregations.

Here is how various states are planning to move forward in Unlock 2.0

Maharashtra

Maharashtra is the worst hit and Mumbai has reported maximum cases. Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray made it clear that the restrictions will continue even after June 30 as the crisis is not yet over. In view of the rising number of coronavirus cases in Maharashtra government on Monday (June 29) announced that the ongoing lockdown in the state will be extended till July 31. The government also stated that restrictions on the non-essential activities and movement of people will be re-imposed in COVID-19 hotspots.

Mumbai police on Wednesday issued prohibitory orders under Section 144 of Code of Criminal Procedure in the city, restricting the movement of people in public places, and said the measure was taken to check rising COVID-19 cases. The order says curbs on movement for non-essential work came into force from Wednesday (July 1) and shall remain so till July 15, unless withdrawn earlier.

Movement of one or more persons in the city between 9 pm to 5 am has also been prohibited except for medical emergencies. Movement of persons for non-essential activities like a visit to shops, markets, barbershops, spas, salons, beauty parlours, and for outdoor physical activities will be permitted in the neighbourhood area.

Punjab

Punjab Government on Tuesday (June 30) issued guidelines for phased reopening in ‘Unlock 2’ from July 1 and decided to reopen more activities in a calibrated manner in areas outside the containment zones. Via the detailed guidelines, the state government has allowed the district authorities to impose such restrictions as deemed necessary in areas outside the containment zones. However, there shall be no restriction on inter-state and intra-state movement of persons and goods including those for cross land-border trade under treaties with neighbouring countries. No separate permission/approval/e-permit will be required for such movements.

The movement of individuals for all the non-essential activities would remain prohibited between 10 pm to 5 am throughout the state.

As per the guidelines, the places of worship/religious places shall remain open only between 5 am to 8 pm. The maximum number of persons at the time of worship shall not exceed 20 with due distancing. The management of these places shall make adequate arrangements to ensure hand hygiene, social distancing and wearing of masks.

Also Read: COVID-19 Relief: ‘Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana Extended For Five Months’, Says PM Modi

Odisha

Unlock 2.0 guidelines issued by the state of Odisha says that religious places, social and political gathering will be prohibited for people till July 31. The decision on the opening of shopping malls has been left on local authorities like collectors and municipal commissioners.

The guidelines also said that the weekend shutdown will continue in 10 districts having more than 50 active cases, identified as Zone 1 – Ganjam, Gajapati, Khurda, Cuttack, Jajpur, Jagatsinghpur, Balasore, Mayirbhanj, Keonjhar and Jharsuguda.

Night Curfew will be imposed from 9 pm to 5 am throughout the state instead of present timing from 7 pm to 5 am.

Rajasthan

In Rajasthan, lockdown in Containment Zones and prohibition of certain activities in the areas outside the Containment Zones has been further extended up to July 31. Regarding Containment zones and curfew areas, the order read,

These are areas where COVID-19 positive cases have been detected in recent past and there is a need to contain and isolate the spread of the virus. The area will be suitably identified and notified on the websites by the District Collector.

The guidelines say that a curfew shall be imposed throughout the state every day from 10 pm to 5 am. This shall not apply to the following–Police/District administration / Government officials on duty, Doctors and other medical/para-medical staff (government / private), Staff of IT and ITeS companies, Industrial units / Construction activities with multiple (night) shifts. For any person(s) in case of medical or other emergencies, Owner/Staff of chemist shops, Movement of persons on National and State highways, Travel of persons from/to airport, railway station or bus stand to/from home/destination, Movement of trucks/carrier vehicles carrying goods/construction or any other material or returning back empty, including loading/unloading of goods.

However, marriage related gathering may be held with the following conditions that orgnaisers need to follow: (1) shall give prior information to SDM (2) ensure social distancing during the function (3) a maximum number of guests allowed shall not be more than 50.

Funerals/last rites related gatherings shall ensure social distancing, and the maximum number of persons allowed shall not be more than 20, the guidelines added.

Also Read: Six Months Of Fighting Coronavirus: Pandemic Is Speeding Up, Not Even Close To Being Over, Says WHO Chief

Karnataka

According to the guidelines issued by the state government of Karnataka, all activities will be permitted in areas outside Containment Zones, except the schools, colleges, educational and coaching institutions which will remain closed till July 31. As per guidelines, online/distance learning shall continue to be permitted and shall be encouraged.

The state has restricted the movement of individuals between 8 pm to 5 am. The exceptions to the curfew include essential activities, like the operation of industrial units in multiple shifts, movement of persons and goods on National and State Highway/Major District Roads, loading and unloading of cargo and travel of persons to their destinations after disembarking from buses, trains and airplanes.

The guidelines also say that there will be a complete shutdown on all Sundays from July 5 to August 2.

As per the guidelines, there shall be no restriction on inter-state and intra-state movement of persons and goods. No separate permission/approval/e-permit will be required for such movement. However, people coming to Karnataka state from other states shall strictly adhere to the prevailing guidelines/SOPs issued by the Department of Health and Family Welfare and Revenue Department.

Also Read: Recoveries Rapidly Outpacing Active COVID-19 Cases: Health Ministry