NEW DELHI, Oct 27 - The Centre on Tuesday said the current COVID-19 Unlock guidelines allowing various activities like opening of cinemas, theatres and multiplexes with up to 50 per cent of their seating capacity will continue to be applicable till November 30 in areas outside the containment zones.
Earlier, the guidelines for reopening activities issued on September 30 were to be in force till October 31.
The Ministry of Home Affairs issued an order today to extend this period till November 30, an MHA spokesperson said.
The guidelines said that international travel, except those permitted by the Centre, would remain shut while the governments of the states and Union territories were given the flexibility to decide on reopening of schools and coaching institutions in a graded manner.
The decision is to be taken in consultation with the respective school and institution managements, based on their assessment of the situation, and subject to certain conditions, according to the guidelines.
The activities permitted in areas outside the containment zones were � cinemas, theatres and multiplexes with up to 50 per cent of their seating capacity, B2B (business to business) exhibitions, swimming pools used for training of sportspersons, entertainment parks and similar places.
Various ministries and departments have issued standard operating procedures for the reopening of activities.
Political gatherings in poll-bound Bihar and those constituencies where byelections will be held were allowed with attendance of a maximum of 200 people in a closed space or hall and in an open space depending on its size.
The political gatherings can be held only outside the containment zones.
The lockdown shall continue to be implemented strictly in the containment zones during the period.
The coronavirus-induced countrywide lockdown was first announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from March 25 and it was extended in phases till May 31.
The Unlock process in the country had begun on June 1 with the graded reopening of commercial, social, religious and other activities. � PTI
