The Ministry of Home Affairs drafted a fresh set of guidelines for this next stage of unlocking the Indian economy. Salient points in the same include the following:

• Open-air theatres in the country can reopen post-September 21^st.
• Gradual resumption of metro services from September 7^th.
• All educational institutes will remain closed for students until September 30^th, barring a few exceptions. Students of classes 9 through 12 can visit their schools to consult with faculty members regarding any doubts if the said institution lies outside a containment zone.
• Similarly, up to 50% of teaching and non-teaching staff members can attend schools after September 21^st. Again, the school in question must lie outside a containment zone for this guideline to be applicable.
• Sports/social/academic/political/religious/entertainment activities can take place with a maximum of 100 people congregating together. Even so, proper precautions, such as social distancing and wearing masks, must be followed in these events without fail.
• Restriction on movement of individuals and goods one state to another has been lifted and can be continued without the requirement of special permits.
• Swimming pools, cinema halls, recreational parks and closed theatre spaces will remain inoperable until September 30^th.
• State governments are no longer allowed to impose lockdowns in regions, which do not come under containment zones without the Centre’s approval.
• Apart from the MHA approved flights, international travel will remain suspended until further notice.
• Children below 10 years, and people aged 65 or above, are advised to stay at home unless there is an emergency, medical or otherwise.

While these are the guidelines of Unlock 4.0 as laid down by the Union Ministry, some states have posited other restrictions and relaxations of their own. Depending on where you reside, these additional guidelines can affect your life considerably.

Here is a look at some of the states and what residents of the same need to follow until September 30^th.

Madhya Pradesh state government claimed that it would implement the guidelines outlined by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

After the same was revealed, the Madhya Pradesh state government reversed its earlier decision to impose state-wide lockdown on Sundays. Residents of the state can refer to the Centre’s guidelines for all other matters.

Goa has been categorised as a green zone, with a limited number of Covid-19 cases. Therefore, the state government has issued the following guidelines as part of the Unlock 4.0 phase –

●       Bars are now allowed to open and serve customers, but only after following the safety guidelines.

●       Beach shacks remain closed until further notice.

●       Casinos will remain closed during Unlock 4.0.

●       Travellers from other states do not need to be tested for the viral infection before entering Goa any longer.

Gujarat’s Unlock 4.0 guidelines are marginally different from the ones laid down by the Ministry of Home Affairs. Here is all you need to know about relaxations and continuing restrictions in this state:

• Shops can function in the state without any time limit.
• While the Centre has decided to keep gardens and public parks closed until further notice, Gujarat’s government has said that it will reopen both in this Unlock 4.0 phase.
• Restaurants and other food & beverage outlets can operate until 11 pm. There are no time constraints for takeaways.
• Street vendors can also resume their business now.
• No religious functions or gatherings are allowed at sacred places.
• City buses in Ahmedabad and Surat will operate at 50% capacity. In other areas, buses can operate with up to 60% of seating capacity. The same is applicable to both state and private buses plying in Gujarat.
• Auto-rickshaws can commence operations with up to two people, excluding the driver.

Haryana‘s state government has declared that it will follow all of the fresh MHA guidelines. In this effect, the government decided to withdraw an earlier order, which required shops and malls to remain closed on all Mondays and Tuesdays.

Furthermore, the state has also scrapped its decision for weekend lockdowns, after the Unlock 4.0 guidelines from the MHA came into effect.

Maharashtra is the worst-hit state in terms of the sheer number of Covid-19 cases and deaths in all of India. Therefore, the state government has outlined certain restrictions, which are different from the national guidelines being followed –

• Class A and Class B government staff need to attend work on all days. Class C and Class D staff, on the other hand, will have to maintain 50% attendance.
• Private offices can now operate with 30% of the total workforce. Previously, this limit was set to just 10%.
• Religious places and gyms will remain closed until further notice.
• Metro services will remain suspended until September 30^th in Maharashtra, even though the MHA has greenlit the same.
• Public gatherings and congregations of all kinds will remain suspended until further notice, even though the Central Government has allowed a maximum of 100 people to gather in sporting/political/religious/marriage events.

Apart from these deviations, Maharashtra residents will follow all other relaxations as laid down by the Union Ministry.

Punjab is another state, which has chosen to maintain its night curfews during the Unlock 4.0 stage. Urban cities or towns in the state will now follow curfew timing, extending between 9.30 pm and 5 am.

Previously, the curfew started at 7 pm and lasted until 5 am. Hotels and restaurants in Punjab can now remain open until 9 pm every day, thanks to the changes in curfew hours.

When it comes to marriage events, the Punjab government also deviates from the Centre’s guidelines. While the Union Ministry allows 50 individuals in wedding ceremonies, the state will allow up to 30 guests to attend a wedding ceremony during this phase of the staggered unlocking.

As of this writing, Andhra Pradesh has reported more than 4.87 lakh cases since the pandemic started. Therefore, individuals within the state’s borders must adhere to the following pointers, alongside the guidelines from the Union Ministry:

• Students of classes 9, 10, 11 and 12 can attend school post-September 21^st, but only with the written consent from their parents or guardians.
• Postgraduate and Ph.D. students can return to colleges on the same day.
• Although the Centre has allowed congregations of up to 100 people, Andhra Pradesh state government has decided to limit wedding attendance to 50 individuals. A maximum of 20 people can attend funerals. This guideline comes into effect from September 20^th.

The state government will implement all the other guidelines as per the MHA’s orders. 

The Tamil Nadu government has implemented several relaxations, according to the Union Ministry guidelines. For instance, people travelling within the state do not need e-passes any longer.

However, for interstate travellers, e-passes are still a necessity. Other changes that the state has enforced include the following:

• Religious places to remain open until 8 pm every day.
• Private and government offices to function with 100% staff.
• Playgrounds and parks will reopen for sports training. However, no spectators will be granted entry to these places.
• The film shooting can also begin, with a maximum of 75 crew-members on set at a time.
• A limited number of inter-state trains will ply until September 15^th, after which the numbers may increase.
• Chennai airport will handle 50 flight arrivals per day during September.
• Tourists hoping to enter Kodaikanal, Nilgiris and Yercaud must furnish relevant e-passes for the same.

West Bengal is another state where the government is disregarding some of the guidelines of the MHA. During the Unlock 4.0 stage, residents of West Bengal will have to endure three days of complete lockdown on September 7^th, 11^th and 12^th.

This decision remains in place even after the Centre ordered states to avoid enforcing any lockdowns outside containment zones.

Additionally, metro services in Kolkata are set to resume from September 14^th, instead of September 7^th, as per the Union Ministry’s guidelines.

The state government in Uttarakhand has stated that it will enforce the new guidelines as per the Union Ministry directive. However, the state will also follow additional measures to limit Covid-19 spread within its borders:

• Hotels and homestays can operate with a full staff. However, bookings at a hotel can only be made with a negative Covid-19 report, which is not older than 96 hours or four days.
• Inter-state travellers to Uttarakhand will need to register on the Smart city web portal. These documents will be verified during entry through the state’s borders.
• Individuals who are visiting the state from high-load cities (any city where the number of cases is substantial) will have to undergo 14 days of quarantine, seven days in an institution and seven days at home.
• These restrictions would be further relaxed in case a VIP visits the state. These VIPs may belong to the state or central government, be judicial and legislative members. Additionally, senior citizens and pregnant women are also exempt from institutional quarantine. 

Himachal Pradesh’s government will follow most of the national guidelines, save a few. These include:

• Inter-state travel will still rely on e-passes, with most of the buses plying to various parts of Himachal Pradesh remaining under prohibition.
• Intra-state travellers will need to undergo mandatory home or institutional quarantine. The only exception to this rule is patients or relatives of patients visiting the state for emergency treatment. Additionally, students who travel to Himachal Pradesh to sit for competitive examination do not need to undergo quarantine measures.

During the Unlock 3.0 phase, Uttar Pradesh government followed a bi-weekly lockdown schedule, which started on Fridays at 10 pm and extended until Mondays at 5 am.

Now, with the new rules in place, Uttar Pradesh residents will only need to adhere to a lockdown on Sundays alone. The new timings for this lockdown will be 12 am on Saturday to 12 am on Sunday.

Additionally, markets and shops in the state can operate between 9 am and 9 pm on all days of the week, except Sundays. 

The Meghalaya government has sealed off the state’s borders, completely prohibiting inter-state travel. The decision to do so came into effect from the first week of September, and it is expected to remain in effect until November.

Restricting travel between states is in stark contrast to the Union Ministry directive, which directs all Indian states to allow free intra-state and inter-state movement from September 1^st.

Mizoram’s state government has decided to defy the Centre’s orders in one major aspect. Residents in this state will continue to observe night curfew between 8.30 pm and 4.30 am on all days, even though the Union Ministry ordered otherwise. Additional pointers to remember during the Unlock 4.0 phase are:

• Inter-state travel can only take place using three distinct points. The first is Vairengte and the second is Bairabi. Additionally, one can also use Kanhmun to travel to and from Mizoram at present.
• Passenger flights to and from the state can only operate on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays. 

Assam residents can adhere to the restrictions and relaxations imposed by the Central government. After this fresh guideline came into effect, two major aspects were altered in Assam by the state government. These are:

• Weekend lockdowns, which were in effect in the state previously, have been lifted.
• Night curfew restrictions have also been removed.

Additionally, public transportation is expected to resume in Assam by September 7^th.

Keep in mind that the states mentioned above are just the ones that are following additional restrictions or deviating from the Government of India guidelines. Other states, not mentioned here, are sticking to the directives laid down by the Centre during this fourth phase of the staggered unlocking procedure.

Apart from following the relevant guidelines, you should also adhere to the basic safety tips to prevent the risks of infection. Always cover your face with a mask when stepping outside your home. Practice social distancing, ensuring that you are always at least 6 feet away from other people.

Wash your hand frequently with soap and water. You can also use any alcohol-based sanitisers to clean your hands as well. Following these simple measures, alongside the general guidelines, can help in the fight against the Coronavirus.