Unlock 1.0: Centre Lists New Rules for Restaurants, Malls, Religious Places

With the opening of the hotels, restaurants, religiousestablishments, shopping malls from June 8, the government on Thursdayannounced new rules to open gradually following the nationwide COVID-19lockdown. The guidelines, which will come into effect from Monday, includemeasures like staggering visitors to malls and no touching of idols atreligious places. Detailed rules were also issued for offices which have beenallowed to reopen over the past few weeks. All establishments that come undercontainment zones, however, will remain closed as announced earlier.

Temperature screenings will be a must at entrances and visitors will be allowed only if they use face cover or masks which should be worn at all times inside, the Health Ministry said in its guidelines. Cinema halls, gaming arcades, and children play areas in these establishments will remain closed, it added.

Physical distancing of a minimum of 6 feet when queuing up forentry and inside should be maintained as far as feasible while the number ofpeople inside shops in malls should be kept at a minimum.

The number of people in the elevators should also be restricted and the use of escalators with one person on alternate steps should be encouraged.

Frequently touched surfaces like doorknobs, elevator buttons, handrails, benches, and washroom fixtures should be cleaned and regularly disinfected. Toilets should be deep cleaned at regular intervals.

For restaurants and mall food courts, the ministry has limited the seating capacity to 50 percent. Disposable menus are advised to be used. Instead of cloth napkins, the use of disposable paper napkins should be encouraged.

Restaurants have been asked to encourage takeaways anddeliveries instead of dine-in. "Food delivery personnel should leave thepacket at the customer's door. Do not handover the food packet directly to thecustomer," it said.

The ministry also said that the staff for home deliveries mustbe screened thermally before setting out for a delivery.

For air-conditioning and ventilation, the ministry said theguidelines of the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) shall be followedwhich emphasizes that the temperature setting of all air conditioning devicesshould be in the range of 24-30 degrees celsius, relative humidity should be inthe range of 40-70 per cent and intake of fresh air should be as much aspossible and cross ventilation should be adequate.

Employees of the establishments who are at higher risk — likeolder staff members or those who are pregnant or have underlying medicalconditions – should take extra precautions. It also asked hotels and restaurantowners to encourage contactless mode of ordering and digital payments.

For hotels and hospitality services, the government asked themto ensure a proper record of the guest's travel history and medical condition,along with ID and self-declaration form.

"Luggage should be disinfected before sending the luggageto rooms. For room service, communication between guests and in-house staff shouldbe through intercom/ mobile phone and room service (if any) should be providedwhile maintaining adequate social distance," it said.

The Home Ministry had last week said "Unlock-1" willroll out across the country from June 8 under which the nationwide lockdownwhich came into effect from March 25 will be relaxed to a great extent,including opening of shopping malls, restaurants and religious places, thoughstrict restrictions will remain in place till June 30 in the worst-hit areas.

Measures to be followed everywhere:

1. People above 65 years of age, those with comorbidities, pregnantwomen and children below the age of 10 years are advised to stay at home.
2. Physical distancing of at least 6 feet to be followed as far asfeasible.
3. Use of face covers/masks to be made mandatory.
4. Practice frequent hand washing with soap (for at least 40-60seconds) even when hands are not visibly dirty. Use of alcohol-based handsanitizers (for at least 20 seconds) can be made wherever feasible.
5. Respiratory etiquettes to be strictly followed. This involvesstrict practice of covering one's mouth and nose while coughing/sneezing with atissue/handkerchief/flexed elbow and disposing off used tissues properly.
6. Self-monitoring of health by all and reporting any illness atthe earliest to state and district helpline.
7. Spitting shall be strictly prohibited.
8. Installation and use of Aarogya Setu App shall be advised to all