Unlock 5: Cinema halls, Schools to open after October 15 with State Govt permission

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has released the guidelines for Unlock 5 (Unlock 5.0 Guidelines). According to the instructions of the Ministry of Home Affairs, cinema halls and multiplexes in Unlock-5 will be opened with 50 percent seats. The Central Government has announced the dates for opening cinemas, schools, coaching centers, and colleges in its guidelines.

According to the guidelines issued by the central government, the state government can start school colleges and coaching centers after October 15. Even before September 21, class 9th to 12th schools have been opened in many states.

Unlock 5 Guidelines

• Cinema halls, multiplexes and theatres will reopen from October 15 with 50 per cent seating capacity.
• Entertainment parks will also reopen from October 15 with mandatory guidelines.
• Schools and educational institutions can reopen from October 15 however final call lies with the institutes and states. Online classes will continue and will be preferred. Students can go to school with written parental consent. Attendance must not be forced upon students, the centre said, adding mandatory guidelines have to be followed if schools decide to reopen.
• Social, academic, sports, entertainment, political, cultural and religious functions and gatherings with over 100 people will now be allowed from October 15. Face masks, social distancing and thermal scanning are however mandatory in all such gatherings. In closed spaces, a maximum of 50 percent of the capacity will be allowed with a cap of 200 people.
• Swimming pools can also reopen for the training of sportspersons and further guidelines in this regard will be issued by the centre.
• International air travel will remain suspended except as permitted by the Home Ministry.
• No restrictions on inter-state and intra-state movement of people and goods. No separate permission or e-permits will be required.
• Education Ministry will decide with consultations with the Home Ministry on reopening of colleges.
• Institutes only with research scholars in science and technology streams requiring laboratory work can reopen from October 15 if the head of the institution can confirm there is requirement of the scholars.
• Trains, metros, domestic flights, markets and restaurants have already reopened or resumed service, with some restrictions.
• Only essential services will be allowed in containment zones. Lockdown will continue in the containment zones till October 31.