New Delhi:

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) today issued new guidelines for allowing more activities in areas outside containment zones,as a part of Unlock 3.0, which will come into effect from August.

The process of phased re-opening of activities has been extended further and the containment zones, as demarcated by the state goverment,shall strictly observe lockdown till August 31.

While Metro Rail,Cinema halls,swimming pools,entertainment parks,theatres,bars,auditoriums to remain shut till Aug 31,as per the guidelines, yoga institutes and gymnasiums will be allowed to open from August 5, 2020 and the Health Ministry will issue a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for this.

Schools, colleges and coaching institutions will remain closed till August 31, 2020, said the MHA.

Also there can't be social/ political/ sports/ entertainment/ academic/ cultural/ religious functions and other large congregations.

It said that the dates for reopening these will be decided later based on the assessment of the situation.

International air travel will be permitted in limited manner under Vande Bharat Mission and any further opening up will take place in calibrated manner, said MHA

The Centre directed the states governments to allow/prohibit activities outside containment zones after proper assessment of the situation.

The ministry further reiterated that vulnerable persons – senior citizens, pregnant women, children below the age of 10 years – are advised yo stay at home, and the use of Aarogya Setu app is encouraged..

However, it clarified that 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, MHA said in it order.

The new guidelines,issued today,are based on feedback received from states and Union Territories (UTs), and extensive consultations held with related central ministries and departments.