New Delhi: The Home Ministry wrote to different states and Union Territories on Friday to clarify its order on implementation of night curfew between 9 pm and 5 am and advised against restricting the movement of buses, trucks carrying goods, and other essential services.
"I would like to clarify that the purpose of restricting the movement of individuals, except for essential services, between 9 pm and 5 am (during lockdown 5.0) is primarily intended to prevent congregation of persons and to ensure social distancing.
"The restriction does not apply to instances of loading/unloading of goods (as part of supply chains and logistics); buses carrying persons and trucks and goods carriers plying on state and National Highways; or persons travelling to their destinations after disembarking from buses, trains, and flights," Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla wrote in his communique.
The relaxations in night curfew have been extended for a couple of hours more during the lockdown 5.0, which would continue till June 30.
With the ending of Lockdown 4.0, the Ministry of Home Affairs came up with a fresh set of guidelines to be imposed in Lockdown 5.0. The fifth phase of lockdown that began on June 1 will remain in force till June 30 in all the containment zones while major curbs will be lifted outside containment zones.
The Centre decided to extend the lockdown in containment zones up to June 30, 2020 whereas it was announced to reopen prohibited activities in a phased manner in areas outside containment zones. The guidelines issued will remain in force till June 30, MHA said.
The MHA guidelines for phased re-opening of areas mentions that in areas outside containment zones, all activities will be permitted, except some which were allowed, with the stipulation of following Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) as prescribed by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), in a phased manner.
As per the phased re-opening guidelines issued by MHA, the night curfew time has been reduced. The movement of individuals is now prohibited between 9 PM and 5 AM across the country except for essential services.
(With Agency Inputs)
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