- Face-mask compulsory; Spitting at Public place made offence; Industrial-commercial activities from April 20
NL CORRESPONDENT
New Delhi, Apr 15: The Government on Wednesday issued detailed consolidated guidelines to be implemented during the Lockdown 2.0 period beginning Wednesday as announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, which will remain in effect till May 3. With plans to ease out certain identified sectors from April 20, spitting in public place is made a punishable offence.The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in the guidelines has made face masks compulsory and said some industrial and commercial activities will be opened from April 20 in those areas and districts which are not part of containment zones.
It said this has been done to make sure that poor daily wage earners get the opportunity to work, as MGNREGA has got the place in the list of allowed activities.
In the order stipulating the guidelines, the MHA said that as the Prime Minister declared that select necessary activities will be allowed to be opened from April 20 in identified areas of the country, “select additional activities in areas not demarcated as containment zones by States/UTs/ District Administrations will be allowed from April 20”.
“The objective of the revised guidelines is to consolidate the gains achieved during the first phase of lockdown and further slow down the spread of Covid 19; at the same time, provide relief to farmers and labour and daily wage earners,” it said.
Besides ensuring that the rural economy functions with maximum efficiency, the MHA said, “Manufacturing and other industrial establishments with access control have been permitted in SEZs, EoUs, industrial estates and industrial townships after implementation of SOP for social distancing.” These will include manufacturing of IT hardware, essential goods, packaging, coal, mineral and oil production.
“It is expected that the industrial and manufacturing sectors will see a revival with these measures, and will create job opportunities while maintaining safety protocols and social distancing,” it said.
It went on to add that at the same time the important components of the financial sector, including “RBI, banks, ATMs, capital and debt markets as notified by SEBI and insurance companies will also remain functional, with a view to providing enough liquidity and credit support to the industrial sectors”.
Transportation of goods will be permitted without any distinction of essential or non essential, it reiterated. Farming operations, including procurement of agricultural products, agriculture marketing through notified mandis and direct and decentralised marketing, manufacture, distribution and retail of fertilizers, pesticides and seeds; activities of marine and inland fisheries; animal husbandry activities, including the supply chain of milk, milk products, poultry and live-stock farming; and tea, coffee and rubber plantations will continue to be functional, as were allowed during the first phase of lockdown.
However, certain activities including travel by air, rail and road; operation of educational and training institutions; industrial and commercial activities; hospitality services; all cinema halls, shopping complexes, theatres, etc; all social, political and other events; and opening of all religious places/places of worship for members of public, including religious congregations, will continue to be prohibited across the country without exception, it said.
It said mandatory homemade face covers at workplaces and in public places, strong hygiene and health care measures like provision of sanitisers, staggered shifts, access control, thermal screening and imposing fines for spitting etc penalties will be imposed for violation.
Activities to be allowed after April 20 in non-containment zone
*MGNREGA
*Farming including live-stock rearing and tea, coffee and rubber plantations
*Manufacture, distribution and retailing fertilizers
*Warehousing
*Truck movement without exception of essential, nonessential
*ATMs, Banks and debt market as notified by SEBI
*Coal, mineral and petroleum production
* IT hardware manufacturing
- Activities prohibited till May 3
New Delhi, Apr 15
The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued guidelines on how the lockdown should be enforced. It has listed out activities which will remain prohibited during the lockdown until May 3.
All domestic and international air travel of passengers.
All passenger movement by trains, except for security purposes
Buses for public transport
Metro rail services
Inter-district and inter-state moment of individuals except for medical reasons or for activities permitted under the guidelines.
All educational, training, coaching institutions
All industrial activity and commercial activity other than those specifically permitted under these guidelines.
Hospitality services other than those specifically permitted under the guidelines.
Taxis, autos, cycle rickshaws and service of cab aggregators.
All cinema halls, malls, shopping complexes, gymnasiums, sports complexes, swimming pools, entertainment parks, bars, auditoriums, assembly halls and similar places.
All social, political, sports, entertainment, academic, cultural, religious functions and other gatherings.
All religious places, please of worship, religious congregations.
In case of funerals, congregation, not more than 20 persons will be permitted.
