The fourth phase of COVID 19 unlock is set to end on 30th September and Unlock 5.0 will be enforced from 1st of October . Though the official guidelines are not declared but here’s a list of some of the relaxations that can be expected during this next phase of unlock.
As India is all ready to enter the festive season with the same enthusiasm, speculations are rife that Centre would announce a series of relaxations and open up more activities for the public during this phase.
Here’s what we can expect from the Unlock 5.0 beginning from the 1st of October, 2020.
Economic Activities
- More economic activities like gyms and restaurants expected to resume.
- Although the MHA has allowed resumption of malls, salons, restaurants, and gyms with restrictions, cinema halls, swimming pools, and entertainment parks will most likely remain closed.
- PM Modi has also requested states to assess all the containments and lockdowns in a way that curbs COVID spread further .
- He also said, “Because of this, economic activity should not face problems… We have to increase our focus on effective testing, treating and surveillance, and clear messaging.”
Tourism
- An important sector which has been massively hit by COVID 19 and thus this sector may witness light at the end of the tunnel in October as tourist destinations are finally opening their doors to travel bloggers, tourists and overall travellers.
- For instance, few days ago, Uttarakhand government allowed tourists the entry to the state without any negative report , conclusion , information or institutional quarantine rules.
- Sikkim eased it’s restrictions for tourism related activities.Sikkim has allowed hotels, home-stays, and other tourism-related services to resume from October 10. The state will also open its border with West Bengal for unrestricted movement of vehicles from October 1.
- The modalities of the reopening of Kerala tourism were discussed at a recent meeting between the Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) representatives.
Academics
- Notably on September 21, several schools across the country resumed their activities for students of Class 9-12 and the same is expected by the public to be continued for the next month too .
- The primary classes are likely to remain closed for a few more weeks.
- Universities and colleges have already started with their assessments , taking admission tests online and hence it can be said that this marks the start of a whole new academic year .
Bars and Restaurants
- In a major relief to the 4 lakh restaurants, bars and eatery outlets in the state, Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray on Monday allowed them to re-start operations from the first week of October.
- The decision will benefit 60 lakh direct employees and 1.8 crore indirect employees who are into cultivation and supply of agro, dairy, hatcheries, and all other commodities that are consumed in large numbers at these establishments.
- Reportedly, dine-in services for restaurants in Maharashtra may be allowed with 50% of the actual capacity from the first week of October in order to contain the virus spread in the state.
Multiplexes
- Despite the appeals of the Multiplex Association of India, the government has kept cinema halls shut, only allowing open-air theaters to reopen from September 21.
- West Bengal on Saturday became the first state to allow theaters and cinema halls to open from October 1 with a limited number of people, hinting that the same may be allowed in other states.
- Information and Broadcasting Ministry Secretary Amit Khare in August had suggested a seating arrangement formula for cinema halls to the Home Ministry. As per this plan, alternate seats in a row and the next are to remain vacant.
Festivals
- Number of Durga puja committees in Lucknow have decided to go for ‘ghot puja’ (worshipping an urn symbolising the goddess) without any idols of goddess Durga. Also, there will neither be any distribution of ‘prasad bhog’ nor conduct of cultural programmes to avoid mass gathering.
- In West Bengal, Puja organisers have been asked to stagger rituals so that people can attend in smaller groups. The priests will use microphone while reciting prayers to ensure people can hear them while maintaining social distancing.
- Along with that, the state also has banned cultural programmes inside or near the puja pandals along with hosting of carnivals.
