Unlock 4.0: Cinema halls, swimming pools excluding open-air theatres to remain closed | Key takeaways

Unlock 4.0 Guidelines: Cinema halls, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres (excluding open-air theatre) and similar places will continue to remain closed till September 30 in Unlock phase 4, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced in its new guidelines, issued on Saturday.

“In Unlock 4, which will come into effect from September 1, 2020, the process of phased reopening of activities has been extended further. Lockdown, however, shall continue to be implemented strictly in the containment zones till September 30, 2020.”

The Home Secretary also stressed that containment zones must be demarcated at the “micro level” with strict perimeter control.

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Listing the permitted activities outside containment zones, he informed the Chief Secretaries about the nod to one of their most pressing demands – resumption of metro services, from September 7, in a “graded manner”.

Bhalla also stated that social, academic, sports, entertainment, cultural, religious and political functions and any other congregations are also being allowed with a ceiling of 100 people and by following SOPs, with effect from September 21. From the very same day, open air theatres are also being given a go-ahead.

He, however, reiterated that states or UTs cannot dilute the Centre’s restrictions, nor can they impose localised lockdowns outside containment zones without a green signal from the MHA. He once again reminded them that there is no need for any e-permit for movement within and across states.