Unlock-2: MHA notifies rules for second phase of lifting lockdown; schools, colleges, cinemas, malls to remain shut till July 31

The MHA has notified the rules for Unlock 2 which will remain in effect till July 31. Night curfew times to be in place between 10PM and 5AM, and schools, colleges to remain shut during this period..The second Unlock phase will permit more activities outside of the containment zones, however, strict lockdown rules to apply in areas declared as containment zones..Schools and colleges will remain shut till July 31 while training institutes for Central and State governments will be permitted to start functioning from July 15..International Air travel, metro services, cinema halls, gyms, swimming pools, entertainment centres, theatres, parks, bars will remain to be closed. Large congregations such as political, religious, and cultural gatherings will also remain barred during this phase..However, the notification says that separate decision as regards all of the barred activities may be taken by the concerned authorities and in the event a different decision is notified, Standard Operating procedure (SOP) for the same will also be evolved and notified..Passenger trains and domestic flights which are plying in a limited manner as of now shall continue to ply and their operations will be gradually expanded in a calibrated manner, MHA has said..Night curfew timings for this phase of Unlock will be from 10PM to 5AM except for essential activities only. Operation of Industrial units in multiple shifts as well as movement of persons after disembarking from trains, buses, etc will be permitted. .Containment Zones:Lockdown in containment zones will continue to be in place till July 31and these zones will have to be demarcated by the District Magistrates after taking into account the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW). .Movement of people from these zones will be permitted only for medical exigencies and essential work and the movements will be strictly monitored. Within the containment zones, an extensive contact tracing will be conducted, door to door surveillance, screening, among other things will be conducted..Discretion of States and UTs:The States and Union territories have been given the liberty to provide for demarcation of buffer zones outside of containment zones if deemed necessary. This exercise will also be carried out by the District authorities..The States and UTs also have the liberty to further prohibit any other activity even outside of the containment zone should the need for doing so be felt. However, inter-state transport cannot be barred..Other:Shramik trains and other evacuation and rescue operations for persons stranded away from their native places will continue to operate with the existing SOPs in place. The MHA notification urges persons from vulnerable sections to remain indoors. The use of Arogya Setu app for tracking and identifying potential risk is also advised by the Centre..Read MHA guidelines: