COVID-19 lockdown: All you need to know as restrictions ease on May 4

As the country on Sunday (May 3) completes 40 days of the nationwide lockdown imposed in view of the coronavirus outbreak, May 4 will witness the easing of restrictions in many states despite the extension of the lockdown till May 17.

What is allowed from May 4

• Movement of people by air, rail and road is allowed for select purposes, and for purposes as permitted by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• Out-Patient Departments (OPDs) and medical clinics can operate in red, orange and green zones, with social distancing norms and other safety precautions. However, their operation will not be permitted in containment zones.
• All goods traffic will be permitted and no state or Union territory can stop the movement of cargo for cross land-border trade under treaties with neighbouring countries.
• Cars will be allowed on road with only two people per vehicle apart from the driver.
• Standalone liquor shops will be allowed to open in all districts. In red-zone districts, only outlets outside containment zones may reopen.
• Domestic helps including maids, drivers and cleaners, will be allowed in all areas except containment zones.

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What is prohibited

• Curbs will continue on travel by air, rail, metro and inter-state movement by road.
• Schools, colleges, and other educational, training and coaching institutions as well as hospitality services, including hotels and restaurants will remain closed.
• Places of large public gatherings such as cinema halls, malls, gymnasiums, and sports complexes; social, political, cultural and other kinds of gatherings and religious places or places of worship for public will remain closed.
• Movement of individuals for all non-essential activities will be limited between 7 pm to 7 am.
• In all zones, people above 65 years, people with co-morbidities, pregnant women, and children below the age of 10 years shall stay at home, except for meeting essential requirements and for health purposes.

How will life change?

Stepping out of home will not be the same anymore. As a vaccine is yet to be developed, COVID-19 is here to stay for months. This will call for lifestyle changes like the following:

• A mask will be your most important accessory when you step out.
• Washing your hands or using a hand sanitiser frequently will be a must.
• Social distancing will be the mantra while going out or interacting with people.

Progress report: Did the 40-day lockdown help?

Has 40-day lockdown helped in flattening the COVID-19 curve in the country? Data says the situation has improved

On April 11, the R-Naught/R-Zero (R0) or reproduction number of the virus was estimated to have dropped to 1.55 from 1.83 on April 6, indicating that the restrictions imposed under the three-week lockdown might have been helpful, said a report in The Print. R0 is the rate at which a virus is transmitted (the number of people a person can infect over the period of his or her infection).

• The current doubling rate for COVID-19 cases has improved to 11 days as against 3.4 days before the lockdown was imposed, according to the Union health ministry.
• Official sources say the mortality rate due of COVID-19 in India is also lower than many other countries.

So far, the deadly virus has claimed 1,301 lives and over 39,000 have tested positive for COVID-19. Maharashtra accounts for the maximum with 521 fatalities, followed by Gujarat (262), Madhya Pradesh (151), Rajasthan (65), Delhi (64), Uttar Pradesh (43) and West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh at 33 each.

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(With inputs from agencies)