Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a televised address to the nation on April 14, 2020, announced the extension of the nationwide Lockdown till May 3. However, he also mentioned that the government will ease lockdown on certain sections of the economy from 20th April, owing to the plight of daily workers and farmers. On April 15, 2020, the central ministry issued a list of economic activities which would be permitted to operate, with some conditions.
The following list contains the economic activities which is approved by the Ministry of Home Affairs to be operational after April 14:
- Supply Chain and Logistic Activities:
There will be no restrictions on the transportation of essential goods. All goods carriers including trucks, goods and parcel trains, and air cargo movement will be allowed in the lockdown. On the highways, the ‘dhabas’, and truck repairing shops shall remain open.
2. Agricultural Activities:
a. Farming – There would be no restriction on any agricultural and horticultural activity during the lockdown. The farmers can continue their farming operations and farm works in the field. All the agencies engaged in the procurement of agriculture products, including MSP operations, are also exempted.
b. Fisheries – Aquaculture industry is also exempted during lockdown. The farmers can continue with feeding and maintenance, harvesting, processing, packaging, cold chain, sale and marketing and other fishing operations.
c. Plantation – Operations can be resumed at tea, coffee and rubber plantations with a limited number of employees (maximum 50% of workers).
d. Animal Husbandry – All operations related to animal husbandry are exempted during the lockdown. The collection of milk by dairy plants from the producers, its distribution, transportation and sale will be exempted. Animal feed manufacturing units and its distribution will also get relief.
3. Commercial Activities
The industries functioning in rural areas will be allowed to operate from April 30, but they need to follow the social distancing norms.
MNREGA, the rural employment generation scheme, will commence and works to be allowed with strict implementation of social distancing and use of face masks. Work related to irrigation and water conservation shall get priority.
The government has allowed the Manufacturing units and industries functioning from Special Economic Zones (SEZs) to operate during the lockdown. The firms can start operations after April 20 only if they arrange the stay and transport of its employees.
Pharmaceutical manufacturers and the units manufacturing essential goods have been allowed to operate.
From April 20, shops of farm machinery, its spare parts, supply chain, repairs, ‘Custom Hiring Centres’ related to machinery will remain open.
Besides, the call centers for government activities will also resume services.
Essential good stores like grocery stores, fruit, vegetable shops or carts, and milk booths, poultry, meat, and fish shops will also remain open during lockdown. Self-employed electricians, IT repairs, plumbers, motor mechanics and carpenters can start giving their services from April 20
Banks and ATMs, IT vendors for banking operations, banking correspondents, ATM operation, and cash management agencies to remain functional during the lockdown.
The exempted organizations need to conduct screening of all employees. They need to maintain proper social distancing by allowing the staff to work in shifts and giving staggered lunch breaks. Also, it is mandatory for workplaces to display the list of all hospitals and medical facilities dealing with COVID-19.
It is to be noted that no such exemptions shall be given to the COVID-19 hotspots or containment zones
No Exemptions till May 3
The activities which are still ban till 3rd May 2020:
- Schools, colleges, and other educational and training institutions shall remain closed.
- Cab aggregators like Ola and Uber, other taxis, autos, and cycle rickshaws cannot operate
- All malls, cinema halls, markets, shopping/sports complexes, swimming pools, gyms, theatres, and bars shall remain prohibited.
- Train services and all international, domestic flights remain suspended
- No social, political, sports, religious functions, will be allowed during the lockdown.
- The holy places, places of worship shall remain closed to the public.
The number of coronavirus cases in India crossed 12,000 as of April 16, 2020. The lockdown 2.0 aims to contain the spread of COVID-19. Hence the following steps are being implement to control the further spread of the virus:
- Wearing face cover is compulsory in all public places and workplaces.
- A complete ban on the sale of tobacco, gutka, and liquor.
- Spitting in public places shall be punishable with fine.
- Gatherings during the funerals and marriages will be monitored and regulated by the District Magistrate.
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