India is still battling the spread of Covid with more than six million confirmed infections
India is allowing cinema halls, multiplexes and exhibition centres to reopen with up to 50% seating capacity from 15 October, in the next phase of lifting coronavirus-related lockdown rules.
Schools and colleges – which have been shut since March to curb the spread of the virus – will also be allowed to reopen, “in a graded manner”, from the same date, India’s Home Ministry has said. The final decision, however, has been left to the state governments.
Lockdown restrictions will still apply to containment zones until 31 October.
This announcement comes even as India battles a high caseload with more than six million confirmed infections, adding more than 80,000 new cases on Wednesday.
Swimming pools used by sportspersons for training and entertainment parks will be permitted to reopen, with accompanying standard operating procedures that will be issued separately.
Religious and political gatherings outside containment zones will be allowed to host up to half of the capacity of the closed space with a ceiling of 200 people. Face masks and thermal screening will be mandatory at these venues.