The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Saturday announced fresh guidelines as part of the Unlock 4.0 phase. As per the latest guidelines, the lockdown around the country has been extended by the Centre till September 30 and will be applicable only in the containment zones. Local governments have been informed not to impose any local lockdown (State/ District/ sub-division/City/ village level), outside of the containment zones. In the event of carrying out such an action, prior consultation with the Centre has to be done. 

MHA's Unlock 4.0 guidelines are follows: 

1) Metro rail with effect from September 7, 2020 in a graded manner, to be allowed by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MOHUA)/ Ministry of Railways (MOR), in consultation with MHA. SOP will be issued by MOHUA.

2) Social /academic /sports/ entertainment /cultural/ religious/ political functions and other congregations with a ceiling of 100 persons and by following health protocol, with effect from September 21, 2020. 

3) Open air theatres with effect from September 21, 2020. 

4) Schools, colleges, educational and coaching institutions will continue to remain closed for students and regular class activity up to 30th September 2020. However, the following will be permitted, with effect from 21st September 2020 and SOP will be issued by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW). 

a. States/ UTs may permit upto 50% of teaching and non-teaching staff to be called to the schools at a time for online teaching/ tele- counselling and related work. 
b. Students of classes 9 to 12 may be permitted to visit their schools voluntarily and with written consent of their parents/ guardians, for taking guidance from their teachers. 
c. Skill or Entrepreneurship training will be permitted in National Skill Training Institutes, Industrial Training Institutes (Ills), Short term training centres registered with National Skill Development Corporation or State Skill Development Missions or other Ministries of Government of India or State Governments. 
National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD), Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (HE) and their training providers will also be permitted. 

5) Higher Education Institutions only for research scholars (Ph.D.) and post-graduate students of technical and professional programmes requiring laboratory/ experimental works. These will be permitted by the Department of Higher Education (DHE) in consultation with MHA, based on the assessment of the situation, and keeping in view the incidence of COVID-19 in the States/ UTs. 

6) There will be no restrictions on inter-State movement of persons and goods. No necessity for a separate permission/approval/e-permit required for such movements. 

7) Activities permitted before by the authorities such as the operations of shopping malls, barber shops, etc will continue to be allowed as per the earlier guidelines. 

8) International air travel of passengers will not be allowed, except as permitted by MHA.