Ministry of Home Affairs
MHA extends the Guidelines for Re-opening
Moving ahead with caution (सतर्कता के साथ अग्रसर)
States/ UTs advised to enforce COVID-Appropriate behavior
Posted On: 27 OCT 2020 3:38PM by PIB Delhi
- Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued an Order today to extend the Guidelines for Re-opening, issued on 30.09.2020, to remain in force upto 30.11.2020
- Re-opening of activities outside the Containment Zones
- Since the issuance of the first Order on lockdown measures by MHA on 24th March 2020, almost all activities have been gradually opened up in areas outside the Containment Zones. While most of the activities have been permitted, some activities involving large number of people, have been allowed with some restrictions and subject to SOPs being followed regarding health and safety precautions. These activities include – metro rail; shopping malls; hotel, restaurants and hospitality services; religious places; yoga and training institutes; gymnasiums; cinemas; entertainment park etc.
- In respect of certain activities, having relatively higher degree of risk of COVID infection, State/UT Governments have been permitted to take decisions for their re-opening, based on the assessment of the situation and subject to SOPs. These activities include – schools and coaching institutes; State and private universities for research scholars; allowing gatherings above the limit of 100 etc.
- After the last guidelines issued by MHA on 30.09.2020, the following activities are also permitted but with certain restrictions:
i. International air travel of passengers as permitted by MHA.
ii. Swimming poolsbeing used for training of sportspersons.
iii. Exhibitions halls for Business to Business (B2B) purposes.
iv. Cinemas/theatres/multiplexes upto 50% of their seating capacity.
v. Social/academic/sports/entertainment/cultural/religious/political functions and other congregations, in closed spaces with a maximum of 50% of the hall capacity and subject to ceiling of 200 persons.
Further decision regarding the above activities will be taken based on the assessment of the situation
- COVID-Appropriate behavior
- The essence behind graded re-opening and progressive resumption of activities is to move ahead. However, it does not mean the end of the pandemic. There is a need to exercise abundant caution by adopting COVID-19 appropriate behavior by every citizen in their daily routine. A ‘Jan Andolan’was launched by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi on 8th October 2020 on COVID-19 appropriate behavior to follow three mantras, namely:
i. wear your mask properly;
ii. wash your hands frequently; and
iii. maintain safe distance of 6 feet.
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- There is an urgent need to instill a sense of discipline and ownership amongst citizens in order that the resumption of activities is successful and gains made in the management of the pandemic are not diluted.
- MHA has already advised Chief Secretaries/Administrators of all States/UTs that they should endeavour to promote COVID-19 appropriate behavior extensively at the grass root level and take measures to enforce the wearing of masks, hand hygiene and social distancing.
National Directives for COVID-19 management
- National Directives for COVID-19 management shall continue to be followed throughout the country, so as to enforce COVID-19 appropriate behavior.
Strict enforcement of lockdown in Containment Zones till 30th November 2020
- Lockdown shall continue to be implemented strictly in the Containment Zones till 30th November, 2020.
- Containment Zones shall be demarcated by the District authorities at micro level after taking into consideration the guidelines of MoHFW with the objective of effectively breaking the chain of transmission. Strict containment measures will be enforced in these containment zones and only essential activities will be allowed.
- Within the containment zones, strict perimeter 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 impose 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 consultation 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 required for such movements.
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 AarogyaSetu
- The use of AarogyaSetumobile application will continue to be encouraged.
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AJAY BHALLA, IAS
Home Secretary
Government of India
North Block,
New Delhi
D.O. No. 40-3/2020-DM-I(A)
27th October, 2020
Dear Administrator,
Kindly refer to Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)’s Order of even number issued today whereby Guidelines for Re-opening dated 30.09.2020 have been extended upto 30.11.2020.
2. As you are aware, since the issuance of the first Order on lockdown measures by MHA on 24th March 2020, almost all activities have been gradually opened up in areas outside the Containment Zones. While most of the activities have been permitted, some activities involving large number of people, have been allowed with some restrictions and subject to SOPs being followed regarding health and safety precautions. These activities include – metro rail; shopping malls; hotel, restaurants and hospitality services; religious places; yoga and training institutes; gymnasiums; cinemas; entertainment park etc.
3. In respect of certain activities, having relatively higher degree of risk of COVID infection, State/UT Governments have been permitted to take decisions for their re-opening, based on the assessment of the situation and subject to SOPs. These activities include – schools and coaching institutes; State and private universities for research scholars; allowing gatherings above the limit of 100 etc.
4. As emphasized during various interactions/ communications, the essence behind graded re-opening and progressive resumption of activities is to move ahead. However, it does not mean the end of the pandemic. There is a need to exercise abundant caution by adopting COVID-19 appropriate behaviour by every citizen in their daily routine. A ‘Jan Andolan’ was launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister on 8th October 2020 on COVID-19 appropriate behavior to follow three mantras, namely, wearing face mask, washing hand frequently, and maintaining safe distance of 6 feet.
5. However, it has been reported that during the ongoing festival season, people are ignoring the cardinal safety requirements, such as wearing face masks and maintaining physical distancing in various gatherings. Such behavior poses a serious threat to public health, at a time when the number of active cases in the country is witnessing a falling trend.
6. There is, therefore, an urgent need to instill a sense of discipline and ownership amongst citizens in order that the resumption of activities is successful and gains made in the management of the pandemic are not diluted. Accordingly, you should endeavour to promote COVID-19 appropriate behavior extensively at the grass root level and take measures to enforce the wearing of mask, hand hygiene and social distancing. Further State/ UT Governments should regulate various gatherings of people and strictly enforce the same as per their SOPs.
7. As emphasized in my earlier D.O. letters, States/Union Territories cannot dilute the guidelines issued by MHA under the Disaster Management Act 2005. It is reiterated that State/ UT Governments shall not impose any local lockdown, outside the containment zones, without prior consultation with the Central Government. Further 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.
8. I would urge you to ensure compliance of the aforesaid Order and direct all concerned authorities for its strict implementation. Further, guidelines issued by MHA and consequent Orders issued by the respective State Governments/UT Administration should be widely disseminated to the public and to the field functionaries for implementation.
With regards,
Yours sincerely,
(Ajay Bhalla)
To
The Administrators of UTs.
**************
No. 40-3/2020-DM-I(A)
Government of India
Ministry of Home Affairs
North Block, New Delhi-110001
Dated 27th October, 2020
ORDER
In exercise of the powers, conferred under Section 10(2)(1) of the Disaster Management Act 2005, the undersigned hereby directs that guidelines for Reopening issued vide Ministry of Home Affairs’ Order of even number dated 30.09.2020, will remain in force upto 30.11.2020.
union Home Secretary
and, Chairman, National Executive Committee (NEC)
To:
1. The Secretaries of Ministries/ Departments of Government of India
2. The Chief Secretaries/Administrators of States/Union Territories
(As per list attached)
Copy to:
i. All Members of the National Executive Committee
ii. Member Secretary, National Disaster Management Authority
Source:-
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1667821
https://www.mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/MHADODt_27102020toallAdministrators_27102020.pdf
https://www.mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/MHAOrderDt_27102020.pdf
