Ministry of Home Affairs issues detailed guidelines on coronavirus lockdown

The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued detailed guidelines for states, Union Territories and general public to follow during the extended lockdown till May 3. A day after Prime Minister Modi announced the extension of the nationwide lockdown till May 3, MHA has issued a 15-page guideline to follow during the lockdown.The government has given some relief to the industrial sector. Manufacturing units and industries functioning from Special Economic Zones (SEZs) have been given relief to operate during the lockdown.

Guidelines for the lockdown

1. The government has allowed industries functioning in rural areas, that is outside municipal areas, to resume operations from April 30 but with strict social distancing norms.

2. Manufacturing and industrial establishments functioning in Special Economic Zones (SEZ) and Export Oriented Units (EOU), industrial estates and industrial townships have been allowed to resume operations after April 20. These establishments will have to make arrangements for the stay and transport of its workers as per requirements.

3. Manufacturing units producing essential goods such as drugs, medicines etc have been allowed to function.

4. All educational, training institution etc shall remain closed, taxis (including auto and cycle rickshaws) and services of cab aggregators to remain prohibited until May 3. Cinema halls, malls, shopping/sports complexes, gyms, swimming pools, theaters, bars etc to remain closed till May 3.

5. Wearing of face cover is compulsory in all public places, workplaces. Spitting in public places shall be punishable with fine.

6. All international, domestic flights remain suspended till May 3. All train services will also remain suspended.

7. All social, political, sports, religious functions, religious places, places of worship shall be closed for public till May 3.

8. From April 20, when there will be some relaxations in areas that are not coronavirus hotspots, activities will be permitted, including agricultural, horticultural, farming, procurement of agri products, 'mandis'.

9. Shops of farm machinery, its spare parts, supply chain, repairs, 'Custom Hiring Centres' related to machinery to remain open from Apr 20.

10. Highway 'dhabas', truck repairing shops, call centres for governmentt activities to remain open from April 20.

11. Grocery stores, fruit, vegetables shops or carts, milk booths, poultry, meat and fish shops to remain open during lockdown.

12. Services provided by self-employed electricians, IT repairs, plumbers, motor mechanics, carpenters to be allowed from April 20.

13. Exemptions given from April 20 will not be applicable in COVID-19 hotspots or containment zones.

14. MNREGA works are allowed with strict implementation of social distancing and use of face masks.

15. Bank branches and ATMs, IT vendors for banking operations, banking correspondents, ATM operation and cash management agencies to remain functional.

16. All agricultural and horticultural activities to remain fully functional, such as farming operations by farmers and farm workers in field, agencies engaged in procurement of agriculture products, including MSP operations.

The nation-wide lockdown is aimed to contain the spread of the pandemic that has killed over 300 people and infected over 11,000 in the country.