Unlock 5: States to decide on reopening schools after Oct 15, cinemas permitted with 50 pct seating

Schools, colleges and other educational institutes have been shut since March with anti-coronavirus lockdown been declared in the country.

The announcement comes with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issuing new guidelines on Wednesday for opening up of more activities in areas outside the Containment Zones, to be effective from Oct 1, amid huge spike in Covid-19 cases across the country.

For re-opening of schools and coaching institutions, State and UT Governments have been given the flexibility to take a decision after Oct 15, in a graded manner. 

The decision shall be taken in consultation with the respective school/ institution management, based on their assessment of the situation, and subject to conditions, the MHA order stated.

However, the guideline also directed that online learning shall continue to be the preferred mode of teaching and shall be encouraged.

"Where schools are conducting online classes, and some students prefer to attend online classes rather than physically attend school, they may be permitted to do so," it said.

In a relief for cinema hall owners, the Centre in its new guideline allowed cinemas, theatres and multiplexes to open with upto 50% of their seating capacity, for which, SOP will be issued by Ministry of Information & Broadcasting.

Business to Business (B2B) exhibitions, swimming pools being used for training of sportspersons, entertainment parks and similar places will be permitted to open, for which the SOP will be issued.

Meanwhile, international air travel of passengers, except as permitted by MHA, remains to be restricted.

Lockdown will continue strictly in the containment zones till Oct 31.