Following the announcement of the fourth phase of lockdown in India up to May 31 by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the Ministry of Home Affairs on Sunday issued fresh guidelines.

As per the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) order issued on Sunday, a number of activities shall continue to remain prohibited throughout the country.

A per the order, all domestic and international air travel of passengers will remain prohibited, except for domestic medical services, domestic air ambulance and for security purposes or purposes as permitted by the MHA.

Metro rail services will remain prohibited.

Also read: COVID19: India extends lockdown till May 31

Schools, colleges, educational/ training/ coaching institutions will remain closed and online/ distance learning shall continue to be permitted and shall be encouraged.

As per the HMA order, hotels, restaurants and other hospitality services will remain prohibited, except those meant for housing health/police/ government officials/ healthcare workers/ stranded persons including tourists and for quarantine facilities.

Running of canteens at bus depots, railway stations and airports will continue to remain prohibited.

Restaurants shall be permitted to operate kitchens for home delivery of food items, said the order.

All cinema halls, shopping malls, gymnasiums, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, bars and auditoriums, assembly halls and similar places will remain closed.

However, sports complexes and stadia will be permitted to open but spectators will not be allowed.

All social/ political/ sports/ entertainment/ academic/ cultural/ religious functions/ other gatherings and large congregations continue to remain prohibited.

All religious places/ places of worship shall be closed for public.

Religious congregations have also been strictly prohibited.

The following activities shall be permitted with restrictions, except in the Containment Zones:

Inter-state movement of passenger vehicles and buses, with mutual consent of the State(s)/UT(s), has been allowed.

Intra-state movement of passenger vehicles and buses has been allowed as decided by the states and UTs.

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for movement of persons shall continue to operate, said the order.

The order said national directives for COVID19 management shall be followed throughout the country.

The HMA order said the delineation of Red, Green and Orange Zones will be decided by the respective state and UT governments, after taking into consideration the parameters shared by Union health ministry.

The movement of people will remain strictly prohibited between 7 pm to 7 am, except for essential activities.

However, local authorities will issue orders in the entire area of their jurisdiction under section 144 CrPC and ensure strict compliance.

Persons above 65 years of age, persons with co-morbidities, pregnant women and children below the age of 10 years shall slay at home, except for essential and health purposes, the HMA guidelines said.