Unlock 4.0 guidelines: Here is everything that will change from September 1

The fourth phase of unlock in India will start on Tuesday and the Ministry of Home Affairs has issued new guidelines for the same. While the lockdown in containment zones has been extended till September 30, several changes will be seen in other areas. The biggest of all is the resumption of metro services in some cities of the country.  

The new guidelines are based on feedback received from States and UTs, and extensive consultations held with related Central Ministries and Departments.  

Metro rail will be allowed to operate with effect from 7th September 2020 in a graded manner, by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MOHUA)/ Ministry of Railways (MOR), in consultation with MHA. In this regard, Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) will be issued by MOHUA. 

Open air theatres will be permitted to open with effect from 21st September 2020. 

The MHA has also stated that there shall be no restriction on inter-State and intra-State movement of persons and goods. No separate permission/ approval/ e-permit will be required for such movements. 

All activities, except cinema halls, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres shall be permitted outside containment zones.  

Metro services resumption  

The MHA has announced that Delhi Metro will resume its services for public from September 7 in a calibrated manner. Further details on the Metro functioning and its usage by the general public will be shared once the detailed SOP on Metros is issued.  

Noida Metro will resume its operations on Aqua Line for the public from September 7 onwards in a graded manner. 

Kochi Metro services will reopen from September 7. KMRL announced that in the first phase, the service will run at intervals of 20 minutes from 7 am to 8 pm. The train will stop for 20 seconds at each station and open the doors of the train in this time for air circulation. Seats for passengers will be marked inside the train, keeping the social distance.