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The Union Ministry of Home Affairs on May 17 extended the coronavirus-induced lockdown till May 31. While announcing the lockdown 4.0 guidelines, the Centre has empowered the states and the Union Territories to demarcate areas in Green, Orange and Red zones and the activities to be allowed in these mentioned zones. However, the Union Home Ministry in its order made it clear that the national directives for COVID-19 management should continue to be in force throughout the country. While issuing the guidelines, the Centre asked the people to ensure social distancing to contain the COVID-19 outbreak. It categorically stated that people should continue to wear face masks in public. Spitting continues to remain punishable. The government has allowed marriage functions but stated that the gatherings should be limited to 50 people. For funeral activity, the government has allowed a maximum number of 20 people. The shops which have been asked to operate should ensure a minimum of 6 feet of distance between customers and not more than 5 people will be allowed at one time.

Lockdown 4.0 - Activities which remain prohibited are as follows:
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1. All domestic and international air travel of passengers remains cancelled. However, the MHA has allowed air travel meant for domestic medical services, domestic air ambulances and activities related to security purposes.
2. According to the lockdown 4.0 guidelines, the movement of people will remain strictly prohibited across the country from 7 pm to 7 am, except for essential activities.
3. Metro rail services to remain suspended throughout the country.
4. School, colleges, educational/training/coaching institutions etc have been asked to remain shut.
5. Hotels, restaurants and other hospitality services continue to remain shut.
6. All cinema halls, shopping malls, gymnasiums, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, bars and auditoriums, assembly halls and similar places will remain also closed.
7. The Union Home Ministry has not permitted any social/political /sports /entertainment /academic /cultural /religious functions/other gatherings or large congregations.
8. All religious places of worship will continue to remain closed for public.

Activities to be allowed during lockdown 4.0
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1. According to the MHA order, hospitality services meant for housing health/police/government officials/healthcare workers/stranded persons including tourists for quarantine facilities shall be operational.
2. Notably, restaurants have been allowed to operate for home delivery of food items.
3. Sports complexes and stadia have been allowed to open but spectators will not be allowed.
4. The government has advocated for Online distance learning.
5. Inter-state movement of passenger vehicles and buses, with mutual consent of State(s) and UT(s) involved have been allowed. However, the Centre has categorically stated that no such service shall be allowed in the containment zones.
6. The Centre has allowed inter-state movement of passenger vehicles and buses, as decided by the states and UT(s), except in containment zones.
7. All states/UTs shall allow inter-state and intra-state movement of medical professionals, nurses and para-medical staff, sanitation personnel and ambulances without any restrictions, the MHA order stated.
8. All states/UTs shall allow inter-state movement of all types of goods/cargos, including empty trucks, the Centre’s order further said.