Centre issues fresh set of guidelines for coronavirus lockdown 2.0, relaxation for some areas from April 20

The Centre on Wednesday issued a fresh set of guideline during the second phase of the nationwide coronavirus lockdown, a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the measures were being extended till May 3 to check COVID-19 spread.

The Union home ministry has barred all kinds of public transport and prohibited opening of public places during this period.

Fresh guidelines were issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday for enforcing the second phase of the coronavirus lockdown. This came as COVID-19 cases crossed 11,000 with a death toll of over 377.

The guidelines also prescribe "National Directives" for COVID-19 management; SOPs for social distancing at offices, workplaces, factories and establishments; and, penalties for offences regarding violation of lockdown measures under relevant sections of Disaster Management Act 2005 and IPC, 1860.

In order to mitigate hardship to the public, select additional activities would be allowed, which would come into effect from April 20.

"However, these additional activities would be operationalized by States/ Union Territories (UTs)/ District Administrations based on strict compliance to the existing guidelines on lockdown measures. Before operating these relaxations, States/ UTs/ District Administrations shall ensure that all preparatory arrangements with regard to social distancing in offices, workplaces, factories and establishments, and other sectoral requirements are in place," the MHA said in a press release.

Inter-state, inter-district movement of people, metro, bus services continue will be prohibited till May 3, the MHA guidelines said.

Educational institutions, coaching centres, domestic, international air travel, train services will also remain suspended till this time, the ministry said.

Public places like cinema halls, malls, shopping complexes, gymnasiums, sports complexes, swimming pools, bars will also be shut till May 3.

All social, political, sports, religious functions, religious places, places of worship will remain closed for public till May 3.

Here is a summary of fresh MHA guidelines on Lockdown 2.0:

>> Educational institutions, coaching centres, domestic, international air travel, train services to remain suspended till May 3

>> Cinema halls, malls, shopping complexes, gymnasiums, sports complexes, swimming pools, bars to remain closed till May 3

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

>> Manufacturing units of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, construction of medical infrastructure to remain open from Apr 20

>> Highway 'dhabas', truck repairing shops, call centres for govt activities to remain open from April 20

>> Wearing of masks compulsory in public places across country in wake of COVID-19 situation

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

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

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

>> State/UT govts shall not dilute lockdown guidelines in any manner; may impose stricter measures as per local requirements

>> Industries operating in rural areas to be permitted to run from April 30 with strict social distancing norms

>> Until May 3, all domestic and international air travel of passengers (except for security purposes), passenger movement by trains (except for security purposes), buses for public transport, metro rail services to remain prohibited.

>> All religious places shall be closed for public, religious congregations are strictly prohibited until May 3. In case of funerals, congregation of more than 20 persons will not be permitted for the period.

>> All educational, training institution etc shall remain closed, taxis (including auto & cycle rickshaws) & services of cab aggregators to remain prohibited until May 3.

>> All agricultural & horticultural activities to remain fully functional, such as - Mandis' operated by APMC or as notified by the state/UT govt. Direct marketing operations by the state/UT govts or by industry, directly from farmers/group of farmers, FPOs co-operatives etc.

>> All agricultural & horticultural activities to remain fully functional, such as - Shops of agriculture machinery, its spare parts (including its supply chain) and repairs to remain open. Movement (inter & intra state) of harvesting & sowing related machines to remain operational.

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

>> MNREGA works are allowed with strict implementation of social distancing & face mask.