New Delhi (NVI): With the Centre extending lockdown for two more weeks till May 31 to curb the spread of coronavirus, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has laid new guidelines for the activities permitted and prohibited across the country.
Only “essential services” will be permitted in containment zones but for the rest of India, regardless of the colour classification of districts, all activities other than those specifically prohibited will now be allowed, subject to physical distancing norms.
MHA has also said that the onus is on the state governments to decide various zones, taking into consideration parameters shared by the Health Ministry.
List of activities permitted with restrictions, 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.
- Movement of stranded people including migrants, students allowed
- Movement of stranded Indians abroad to continue
- Shops and markets to open with staggered timings, so as to ensure social distancing
- Opening up of sports activities only for sportsperson – spectators will not be allowed in these complexes
List of activities that will remain prohibited throughout the lockdown:
- 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, theaters, bars and auditoriums, assembly halls and similar places. Sports complexes and stadiums 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. The religious congregation are strictly prohibited.
Night curfew:
The movement of individuals shall remain strictly prohibited between 7 pm to 7 am, except for essential activities.
