Lockdown 4.0: States issue guidelines, announce relaxations in norms

The Centre’s directive on extension of the coronavirus-imposed lockdown till May 31 notwithstanding, several states have announced a slew of relaxations that allow operation of the app-based taxi services and standalone shops besides others.

Here’s what the states have allowed till May 31:

Andhra Pradesh

The Andhra Pradesh government will resume bus services soon after the transportation of migrant workers in addition to allowing private players to operate, with the condition that they ensure the maintenance of social distancing norms. The government will also allow takeaways from restaurants that adhere to these norms, an official release said.

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Night curfew in the state will continue from 7 pm to 5 am with shops and establishments allowed to do business only between 7 am and 7 pm. It has also been mandatory for all government employees to attend their respective offices, the release added.

Delhi

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday (May 18) said that taxis and cabs will be allowed to operate with two passengers at a time in the national capital amid lockdown 4.0.

However, salons, hotels, gymnasium, swimming pool, entertainment parks and auditorium, and places of worship will remain closed.

The Delhi government has also allowed standalone shops to function in the national capital but on an odd-even basis in a bid to extend a chance for all shops to remain open.

Karnataka

The Karnataka government on Monday allowed public transport services to operate from May 19, except in containment zones.

Following the recent spike in coronavirus infections, the government has decided to allow people from states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, Kerala and Tamil Nadu into the state in a staggered manner, while special cases will be allowed on request.

During lockdown 4.0, the government has decided to do away with colour coding of districts into red, orange and green zones and instead, focus on containment of the virus through monitoring.

West Bengal

Unlike other states, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has decided to not impose night curfew in the state as proposed by the Centre.

Containment zones will be divided into three zones — affected zones, buffer zone, and clean zone, she said.

While extending the lockdown till May 31, she said hawkers would be allowed to put up shops from May 27 that and inter-district bus service too will commence.

Kerala

The Kerala government has decided to allow public transport in a restricted manner with an increased travel fare to compensate the shortage of passengers due to implementation of social distancing norms.

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“With the present guidelines issued by the Centre, we will assess the situation and decide upon the inter- district and inter-state services,” State Transport Minister A K Saseendran said.

State-run liquor shops BEVCO will be thrown open after the online system gets ready. Bars and clubs will be permitted to sell liquor and food provided they are takeaway orders, the release said.

Punjab

Public bus services will resume from May 20 on select routes within Punjab, state Transport Minister Razia Sultana said, adding that the buses will be run with 50 per cent occupancy.

“We will resume bus services from Wednesday” and with 50 per cent occupancy, Sultana said. “If a bus has 50 seats, then only 25 passengers will be allowed to travel,” the minister added.

Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Saturday (May 16) announced “maximum possible relaxation” in the non-containment zones from May 18.

He said the containment zones will be sealed to enable the resumption of shops and small businesses in non-containment areas.

Telangana

The state government has given major relaxations by way of allowing shops to reopen and resuming TSRTC bus services in all districts except Hyderabad. However, the inter-state bus services will remain prohibited in the state.

On Saturday, the Telangana government issued orders permitting shops and establishments dealing with automobiles and their spare-parts, air-conditioners and air-coolers in the red zone to remain open in Hyderabad and municipal bodies.

Gujarat

In a major relief to the people of the state, the Gujarat government announced several relaxations, including opening of markets and shops in non-containment zones, from Tuesday.

While there will be no relaxations in containment zones, shops and offices in non-containment zone can remain open between 8 am and 4 pm, said Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.

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However, such business and commercial establishments need to follow odd-even formula, wherein only 50 per cent establishments can remain open on any given day.

Moreover, the government has also allowed reopening of barber shops and salons in non-containment zones besides shops selling paan masala.

Restaurant and eateries can remain open for takeaway orders only, Rupani said. He also announced resumption of bus and auto rickshaw service across the state, barring a few places.

Odisha

The Odisha government allowed private and official vehicles to ply within the state, but no decision was taken on the intra-state movement of passenger buses, a top official said.

The vehicles can operate but strict social distancing has to be maintained by the passengers, Chief Secretary A K Tripathy said while announcing the state governments modalities for the fourth phase of the lockdown.

Hotels and restaurants may serve take-away food from their counters but customers will not be allowed to sit and have food, the chief secretary said.

Odisha has not stopped any industry owing to the lockdown, rather allowed them to operate by maintaining certain norms, he added.

Agricultural activities are going on in full swing and will continue in this phase too, Tripathy said.