COVID-19 Lockdown Guidelines. List Of Relaxations And Restrictions

After extending the lockdown period until May 3, the Central Government has released an order delineating a list of economic activities that will be permitted after April 20 and those which are prohibited.

The coronavirus lockdown guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs will be applicable to all States, Union Territories and District Administrations barring the containment zones as demarcated by the authorities, the order said.

Activities to remain prohibited until May 3:

• All passenger movement by air, rail and road, except for security purposes
• Operation of educational and training institutions
• Industrial and commercial activities
• Hospitality services
• All cinema halls, shopping and sports complexes, theatres, gymnasiums, bars and auditoriums, entertainment parks, assembly halls and similar places
• All social, political and other events
• All religious places/ places of worship for public, including religious congregations
• In case of funerals, congregation of over 20 persons will not be permitted

In Tuesday’s address to the nation, PM Modi said the easing of restrictions will be allowed after April 20 based on strict scrutiny of performances of blocks, districts and states in containing COVID-19 in their respective areas.

Select permitted activities allowed:

• Supply of essential goods
• All health services to remain functional
• Bank branches and ATMs to remain functional
• Social Sector: Operation of homes for children/ disabled/ mentally challenged/ senior citizens/ destitute/ women/ widows
• All Agricultural and horticultural activities to remain fully functional;
• Services of self-employed persons allowed, for e.g., electrician, IT repairs, plumbers, motor mechanics and carpenters
• MGNREGA works allowed with strict implementation of social distancing and face mask
• Activities related to fisheries, plantations and animal husbandry will be operational
• Public Utilities: Operations of Oil and Gas sector, power, postal services, water, sanitation and waste management sector, telecommunications and internet services
• Print and electronic media, IT and IT-enabled services, e-commerce companies and courier services

"The rural economy functions with maximum efficiency; employment opportunities are created for daily wage earners and other members of the labour force; select industrial activities are allowed to resume their operations, with adequate safeguards and mandatory standard operating protocols (SOPs); and the digital economy," read the order from the home ministry.