Coronavirus Update: Metro Rail, Social And Religious Functions Allowed Under ‘Unlock 4’

Metro rail services can resume operations, social and religious functions can be held, and no e-permits will be required in some of the relaxations in the fourth phase of lifting lockdown restrictions even as the coronavirus tally continues to mount in the world’s third-worst infected nation.

Other highlights:

• Students of classes 9-12 permitted to visit schools, in areas outside the containment zones only, on a voluntary basis for taking guidance from their teachers. This, however, will be subject to written consent of their parents/ guardians.

• States/union territories can permit up to 50% of teaching and non-teaching staff to be called to schools, outside the containment zones, for online teaching or tele-counseling from Sept. 21.

• Higher education institutions allowed only for research scholars and post graduate students of technical and professional programmes, those who require laboratory/experimental works. This, however, will be permitted by the Department of Higher Education in consultation with the MHA, based on the assessment of the situation.

• International air travel, except as permitted by the MHA, to remain suspended.