Unlock 2.0: Metro, schools remain out of bound; night curfew relaxed

New Delhi:  The Centre on Monday announced the guidelines for Unlock 2.0, which it said will be in force till July 31. Almost all activities are being allowed outside the containment zones, save a few like functioning of schools and colleges and international travel, among others.

“Schools, colleges, coaching institutions will remain closed till July 31, 2020,” read the government order. However, online learning will not only be permitted, but also encouraged during this period. Training institutions of the Central and state governments will be allowed to function with effect from July 15.

While domestic flight operations will be further enhanced, the ban on normal international operations will continue. However, the Vande Bharat mission and specific exemptions as allowed by the government will continue and their scope may be enhanced in the future after further assessments.

Night curfew timings have been relaxed further and it will be in force from 10.00 p.m. to 5.00 a.m. “Further, relaxations in night curfew have been given for seamless operation of industrial units in multiple shifts, movement of persons and goods on national and state highways, loading and unloading of cargo and movement of persons to their destinations after disembarking from buses, trains and airplanes,” the government order said.

Shops, depending upon their area, can have more than 5 persons at a time. However, they have to maintain adequate physical distance.

Meanwhile, Metro Rail, cinema halls, gymnasiums, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, bars, auditoriums, assembly halls and similar places will continue to remain shut.

In what can be a dampener for political parties, the government continues to bar all social/ political/ sports/ entertainment/ academic/ cultural/ religious functions and other large congregations.

IANS