New Delhi: Large swathes of the country is set to remain under lockdown as the government announced the second phase of the country’s gradual emergence from restrictions. While lockdown will stay containment zones, the other areas will have certain relaxations in terms of night curfew and people’s presence in shops. But there will be no big ticket changes yet like opening of schools and colleges, cinema halls, gymnasiums, swimming pools, bars and assembly halls or metro services will not happen yet.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to address the country tomorrow at 4 pm as the fifth phase of lockdown comes to an end.
Till July 31, only essential activities will be allowed in containment zones, of which national capital Delhi has more than 470. Besides, a number of states, including Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Bengal and Assam, have announced that they will extend the lockdown beyond June 30.
The revised “Unlock” guidelines also said metro services, cinema halls, swimming pools, bars and assembly halls would remain closed, even outside containment zones. Social, political, sporting, entertainment, academic, religious and cultural gatherings and functions continue to remain banned. Dates for opening of these will be decided separately, based on an assessment of the situation.
Night curfew shall continue to remain in force, between 10 pm and 5 am, except for essential activities and other relaxations. But states, based on their assessment of the situation, will have the final call on the activities outside the containment zones, the Centre said.
