Third lockdown extension: Know what is allowed and what is not
The Union government on Friday (May 1) announced the extension of the ongoing countrywide lockdown for two more weeks in view of the coronavirus outbreak. The decision to extend the lockdown beyond May 4 was taken after a 'comprehensive review,' a press statement released by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs said.
The Union government on Friday (May 1) announced the extension of the ongoing countrywide lockdown for two more weeks in view of the coronavirus outbreak.
The decision to extend the lockdown beyond May 4 was taken after a ‘comprehensive review,’ a press statement released by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs said. The statement comes in the backdrop of Prime Minister Narendra Modi holding a meeting with cabinet ministers to discuss a post-lockdown strategy on Friday.
What is not allowed after May 3
- Travel by air, rail, metro and inter-state movement by road
- Schools, colleges and other educational, training, coaching institutions will remain shut
- Hotels, restaurants will remain close
- Places of large public gatherings such as cinema halls, malls, gyms, sports complexes
- Social, political, cultural and other kinds of gatherings
- Religious places, places of worship for public
The movement of people by air, rail, and road will be allowed for select purposes, the statement said.
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The MHA also mentions certain measures for the well-being and safety of people.
The movement of individuals, for all non-essential activities, shall remain strictly prohibited between 7 pm to 7 am, the statement read.
Local authorities shall issue orders under appropriate provisions of law, such as prohibitory orders [curfew] under Section 144 of CrPC, for this purpose, and ensure strict compliance.
In all zones, persons above 65 years of age, persons 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.
Out-Patient Departments (OPDs) and Medical clinics shall be permitted to operate in Red, Orange and Green Zones, with social distancing norms and other safety precautions. These will not be permitted within the Containment Zones.
E-commerce activities, in the Red Zones, are permitted only in respect of essential goods. Private offices can operate with up to 33% strength as per requirement, with the remaining persons working from home.
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All government offices will function with senior officers of the level of Deputy Secretary and above at full strength, and the remaining staff attending up to 33% as per requirement.
All industrial and construction activities in rural areas, including MGNREGS works, food-processing units and brick-kilns are permitted; besides, in rural areas, without distinction to the nature of goods, all shops, except in shopping malls are permitted.
All agriculture activities, eg, sowing, harvesting, procurement and marketing operations in the agricultural supply chain are permitted. All agriculture activities, e.g., sowing, harvesting, procurement and marketing operations in the agricultural supply chain are permitted.
Most of the commercial and private establishments have been allowed in the Red Zones. These include print and electronic media, IT and IT enabled services, data and call centres, cold storage and warehousing services, private security and facility management services, and services provided by self-employed persons, except for barbers etc.
All State/ UT Governments are mandated to strictly enforce the lockdown guidelines and they shall not dilute these guidelines issued under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, in any manner.