Unlock...

It said the plan will have an “economic focus”, as the government looks to bring stalled businesses and activities back on track and revive the third largest economy in Asia that is in the grip of a slowdown due to the impact of Covid-19 and the lockdown prompted by the pandemic.

Though the new guidelines will come into effect from Monday, places of worship (large religious gatherings are still not allowed), shopping malls, and hotels and restaurants (but not bars) will resume operations beginning June 8 in the first phase of major relaxations.

In the second phase, the government plans to reopen all educational institutes including schools and colleges after holding discussions with states and Union Territories (UTS), who can hold further talks with parents and other stakeholders. A decision is likely in July.

International air travel, metro rail services, cinema halls, gyms, swimming pools, bars, entertainment parks, and auditoriums will remain closed and open only in the third phase. Large gatherings, including social, political, religious, and sporting events are also banned for now.

The third phase of the un-lockdown plan will focus on the resumption of these activities. No date, however, has been set for this. All activities mentioned in the three phases of the plan have been banned since March 25, when a nationwide lockdown was imposed for the first time.

The fundamental tenet of the new federal guidelines is the reopening of activities and businesses across the country, in a departure from previous such directives that dictated the list of restrictions, and later area-specific relaxations.

In another significant step, the government has relaxed the night curfew prohibiting non-essential travel. The ban on such movement will be applicable between 9pm and 5am. Previously, it was between 7pm and 7am.

Containment zones, which can be termed the epicentre of an infection, will continue to be under a hard lockdown at least till June 30, the home ministry guidelines said. Only essential activities will be allowed in these areas and strict perimeter control will ensure that people cannot move in or out, except for medical emergencies and essential supplies.

The Centre has empowered states/uts to identify containment zones (in keeping with health ministry guidelines) and also buffer zones, which are areas adjoining containment zones, and impose restrictions whenever necessary. The guidelines said there shall be no restriction on the movement of persons and goods between two states and within a state, and that no special permission is required for such transport. However, states/uts may prohibit certain activities outside containment zones based on their assessment, but they are not allowed to dilute the federal guidelines.like the previous guidelines, the fresh one advises people above 65 years, children below 10 years, pregnant women and those with underlying health conditions to stay indoors. The government has reiterated its advice for downloading the contact-tracing Aarogya Setu app, saying it “enables early identification of potential risk of infection”.

“With a view on ensuring safety in offices and work places, employers on best effort basis should ensure that Aarogya Setu is installed by all employees having compatible mobile phones,” the order read.

In a section termed “National Directives for Covid-19 Manage