Unlock 5.0 Commencement From 15th October: Education Institution, Movie Theatres To Be Re-opened, Decision Lies With The State

It is now on States and Union Territories to decide whether they do want to reopen schools, colleges and coaching institutes after 15^th October, in the latest announcement by the government today for the new "Unlock5" commencement during the corona virus pandemic. The Home Ministry said- "The decision shall be taken in consultation with the respective school/institution management, based on their assessment of the situation"

"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," the Govt. said, "Students may attend schools/institutions only with the written consent of parents,"

However the Online classes and distant learning will still remain functional and should be the preferred mode for teaching.

Source: Times Of India

Students must not be forced to attain the attendance, and decision of attending schools must depended entirely on parental consent, and Union Territories and States are allowed to make their own standard operating procedures (SOPs) on health and safety precautions before they reopen schools and colleges.

"Schools, which are allowed to open, will have to mandatorily follow the SOP to be issued by Education Departments of States/UTs. Department of Higher Education (DHE), Ministry of Education may take a decision on the timing of the opening of colleges/higher education institutions, in consultation with Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), based on the assessment of the situation. Online/distance learning shall continue to be the preferred mode of teaching and shall be encouraged," the government said.

For the research scholars of higher education institutions (PhD) and post-graduate students in science and technology those requiring labs and experimental works will be allowed to be functional from 15^th October .

Cinemas/ theatres/ multiplexes will be permitted to open with up to 50% of their seating capacity, for which, SOP will be issued by I&B Ministry: Government of India https://t.co/1bLAo4NRmE — ANI (@ANI) September 30, 2020

"For centrally funded higher education institutions, the head of institution will satisfy herself/himself that there is a genuine requirement of research scholars (PhD) and post-graduate students in science and technology stream for laboratory/experimental works," the government said.

"For all other higher education institutions e.g. state universities, private universities etc., they may open only for research scholars (PhD) and postgraduate students in science and technology stream requiring laboratory/experimental works as per decision to be taken by the respective state/UT governments," the centre said.

Movie halls, theatres and malls, will also be functional, but with the rule that it can only entertain 50% of its seating capacity. But in the containment areas the lockdown will be enforced till 31^st October According to the govt. guidelines.

Restrictions on the International Flights and Maharastra lockdown are extended till 31^st October.

According to Health Ministry data-  India's COVID-19 tally has crossed the Sixty two lakh mark with 80,472 new corona virus cases emerged and 1,179 deaths. For the 1^st time in over 28 days, corona virus deaths tolls over the 1day period have fallen below 1,000, in government’s data.