Unlock 4.0: Metros, small meetings to be allowed

New Delhi

However, schools, colleges, educational and coaching institutions will remain closed for students till September 30, with some relaxations for students of Classes 9 to 12. In a significant directive, the Home Ministry said that State governments shall not impose any local lockdown outside the containment zones without prior consultation with the Central government. This bears significance as sporadic and weekend lockdowns have been implemented by various states across the country.

Under the Unlock 4 phase, social,  academic, sports, entertainment, cultural, religious, political functions and other congregations will be permitted with a ceiling of 100 people, with effect from September 21. However, such limited gatherings can be held with the mandatory wearing of face masks, social distancing and provision for thermal scanning and hand wash or sanitizer. The permission to hold political and other gatherings came ahead of the Bihar assembly elections, which are due in October-November.

The Home Ministry said that after extensive consultation with States and UTs, it has been decided that schools, colleges, educational and coaching institutions will continue to remain closed for students and regular class activity up to September 30. Online or distance learning shall continue to be permitted and encouraged. The Ministry said that States and Union Territory governments may permit up to 50 per cent of teaching and non-teaching staff to be called to the schools at a time for online teaching or tele-counselling and related work. Skill or entrepreneurship training will be permitted in National Skill Training Institutes, Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs).

Higher education institutions only for research scholars (PhD) and post-graduate students of technical and professional programmes requiring laboratory and experimental works will be permitted by the Department of Higher Education (DHE) in consultation with MHA.