All activities, except a negative list of five, are now permitted across the country outside of Containment Zones

Schools, colleges and other educational institutions will continue to remain closed till July 31 but the guidelines for Unlock 2.0 released by the Union Home MInistry on Monday evening have provided many other relaxations as the nation contains the spread of Covid-19.

Domestic flights and passengers trains that have already been allowed in a limited manner will be further expanded in a calibrated manner, the ministry said in an order.

Training institutions of the central and state governments can function from July 15 onwards.

All activities, except a negative list of five, are permitted outside Containment Zones. The following are not permitted till July 31:

Schools, colleges, educational and coaching institutions. Online and distance learning are, however, allowed.

International air travel of passengers, except as permitted by the Home Ministry. This does not cover the Vande Bharat Mission to repatriate Indians stranded abroad.

Metro rail services throughout the country.

Cinema halls, gymnasiums, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, bars, auditoriums, assembly halls and similar places.

Social, political, sports, entertainment, academic, cultural, religious functions and other large congregations.

The ministry said that dates for resuming the activities listed above would be decided separately and appropriate Standard Operating Procedures (SOPS) would be prescribed.

A strict lockdown would continue to be enforced in areas that have been designated as Containment Zones to prevent the spread of Covid-19

The duration of the night curfew has been reduced; it will now be in force from 10 pm to 5 am as against the earlier 9 pm to 5 am.

On May 30, the Union Home Ministry had announced Unlock 1.0, that permitted a phased reopening of a host of activities like religious places and places of worship, malls, hotels, and restaurants can begin opening outside containment areas.

The ministry had also directed that night curfew timings for non-essential travel be relaxed and operate between 9 pm and 5 am instead of the existing 7pm to 7 am.

India has been under a strict lockdown since March 25 to control the rapid spread of coronavirus. But there has been a substantial easing of restrictions from May onwards, particularly in states that have not reported a very high number of coronavirus cases.