Lockdown extended till May 31, Air Travel to remain banned, barber shops, shopping complexes to open

Lockdown 4 Guidelines LIVE Updates: The Centre has extended the nationwide lockdown until May 31 as the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said the measures were needed in the country for two more weeks to contain the spread of COVID-19.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued a new set of guidelines pertaining to what is allowed and restricted in different zones. The new phase has a lot more relaxations outside containment zones as the Centre has permitted barber shops, salons and shopping complexes to open. However, the night curfew will remain, that people will be allowed to step outside only for essential travel after 7pm. Flights and metro services will also remain banned till May 31.

All shops shall have to ensure six feet distance among customers; not allow more than five people at one time: MHA

What's Prohibited

The following activities shall continue to remain prohibited throughout the country:

All domestic and international air travel of passengers, except for domestic medical services, domestic air ambulance and for security purposes or purposes as permitted by MHA.

Metro rail services.

Schools, colleges, educational/ training/ coaching institutions etc. will remain closed. Online/ distance learning shall continue to be permitted and shall be encouraged.

Hotels, restaurants and other hospitality services, except those meant for housing health/ police/ Government officials/ healthcare workers/ stranded persons including tourists and for quarantine facilities; and running of canteens at bus depots, railway stations and airports. Restaurants shall be permitted to operate kitchens for home delivery of food items.

All cinema halls, shopping malls, gymnasiums, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, bars and auditoriums, assembly halls and similar places. Sports complexes and stadia will be permitted to open; however, spectators will not be allowed.

All social/ political/ sports/ entertainment/ academic/ cultural/ religious functions/ other gatherings and large congregations.

All religious places/ places of worship shall be closed for public. Religious congregations are strictly prohibited.

Activities Permitted Except in Containment Zones:

Inter-State movement of passenger vehicles and buses, with mutual consent of the State(s)/ UT(s) involved.

Intra-State movement of passenger vehicles and buses, as decided by the States and UTs.

Containment, Buffer, Red, Green and Orange Zones

The delineation of Red, Green and Orange Zones will be decided by the respective State and UT Governments, after taking into consideration the parameters shared by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India (Gol).

Within the Red and Orange Zones, Containment Zones and Buffer Zones will be demarcated by the District authorities, after taking into consideration the guidelines of MoHFW.

In the Containment Zones, only essential activities shall be allowed. There shall be strict perimeter control to ensure that there is no movement of people in or out of these zones, except for medical emergencies and for maintaining supply of essential goods and services. Guidelines of MoHFW shall be taken into consideration for the above purpose.

In the Containment Zones, there shall be intensive contact tracing, house-to- house surveillance, and other clinical interventions, as required.

Night curfew

The movement of individuals shall remain strictly prohibited between 7.00 pm to 7.00 am, except for essential activities. Local authorities shall issue orders, in the entire area of their jurisdiction, under appropriate provisions of law, such as prohibitory orders [Curfew] under Section 144 of CrPC, and ensure strict compliance.

Protection of vulnerable persons

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 essential and health purposes.

All other activities will be permitted, except those which are specifically prohibited.

However, in Containment Zones, only essential activities shall be allowed, as mentioned in para 5(iii) above.

Further, States/ UTs, based on their assessment of the situation, may prohibit certain other activities in the various zones, or impose such restrictions as deemed necessary.

Use of Aarogya Setu | The guidelines, once again, direct employers to ensure that the Aarogya Setu app is installed on mobiles devices of all employees with compatible phones. It also asks district authorities to advise people to install the app.

All Activities Allowed, Except Those Specifically Prohibited | The guidelines state that all other activities will be allowed, except for those which are specifically prohibited (except for in containment zones). However, states and UTs may prohibit certain activities based on their assessments.

Night Curfew from 7pm to 7 am | The new guidelines make a provision for a night curfew, wherein the movement of individuals remains restricted between 7pm and 7am.

States, UTs Allowed to Demarcate Zones | Centre allows states and UTs to decide the delineation of the Red, Green and Orange Zones, after taking into consideration the parameters laid out by the Health Ministry. Within Red and Orange Zones, Containment Zones and Buffer Zones will be demarcated by the district authorities.

Inter-state Movement of Passenger Vehicles Allowed | Inter-state movement of passenger vehicles and buses with mutual consent between states and UTs will be allowed.

Schools, Hotels to Remain Shut | Schools, colleges and other educational institutions remain closed. Hotels, restaurants and hospitality services will also be closed, with few exceptions like  quarantine facilities.

Air, Metro Travel Remains Suspended in Lockdown 4 | MHA issues guideline for phase 4 of the coronavirus lockdown. Air travel for passengers, except for domestic medical services to remain prohibited. Metro rail services are also prohibited.

NDMA Directs NEC to Issue Modified Guidelines | National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) directs National Executive Committee (NEC) to issue modifications in the guidelines, as necessary keeping in view the need to open up economic activities while containing the spread of COVID-19. In an order, the NDMA said lockdown measures need to be implemented for a further period of 14 days in the country to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Read order below