India Unlock 1.0 begins: Hotels, malls, places of worship to open from June 8

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) will issue standard operating procedures to ensure social distancing. However, large congregations, including at weddings and funerals will continue to be banned.

In phase two, schools, colleges and other educational and training institutions can reopen in July, but the decision will be taken in consultation with states and union territories, which in turn have been asked to consult stakeholders, including schools and parents.

However,international air travel, metro rail services, cinema halls, gymnasiums, swimming pools, bars, auditoriums, and political, religious, academic, cultural events as well as other large congregations will continue to be prohibited.

The Centre said that based on the assessment of the situation, dates for reopening of these activities will be decided in phase three.

Instead of 7 pm to 7am, night curfew will now be imposed between 9 pm and 5 am throughout the country except for essential activities.

While only essential activities have been allowed in containment zones until June 30, state governments, based on their assessment, have been empowered to ban certain activities even outside the containment zones.

Apart from fresh guidelines, the government reiterated precautions that need to be taken. It has recommended employers and district authorities to have people install the Aarogya Setu App.

The guidelines have suggested wearing of masks, frequent sanitization, social distancing, and encouraged work from home and staggered working hours. Spitting in public places, consumption of paan, gutkha, liquor and tobacco remain banned.

In containment zones, only essential activities will be allowed and access strictly controlled with intensive contact tracing and house-to-house surveillance, the government said.