New Delhi (NVI): The Ministry of Home Affairs today issued revised guidelines for the extended lockdown till May 3, which was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday.
As per the guidelines, the Government has permitted certain activities after April 20, giving relaxation to agriculture, e-commerce and select industrial activities.
All agricultural and related activities will remain fully functional, the MHA said. These activities include farming operations by farmers and farm workers in the field. Agencies engaged in the procurement of agricultural products, including MSP operations will be allowed.
Mandis operated by the Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) or as notified by the State/UT Government (e.g., satellite mandis) will be allowed after April 20.
Similarly, all shops of farm machinery, its spare parts, supply chain, repairs, ‘Custom Hiring Centres’ related to machinery, manufacturing, distribution and retail of fertilisers, pesticides and seeds will be allowed, the Ministry said in a statement.
Services provided by self-employed persons, like electricians, those engaged in IT repairs, plumber, motor mechanics, and carpenters have also been allowed.
Under the revised guidelines, important components of the financial sector, e.g., Reserve Bank of India (RBI), banks, ATMs, capital and debt markets as notified by SEBI and insurance companies will also remain functional.
The guidelines also allow the continuation of works in the construction projects, within the limits of municipal corporations and municipalities, where workers are available on site and no workers are required to be brought in from outside (in situ construction).
Under the fresh guidelines, private vehicles for emergency services, including medical and veterinary care and for procuring essential commodities, will be allowed.
In such cases, one passenger besides the private vehicle driver can be permitted in the backseat in a four-wheeler; in case of two-wheelers, however, only the driver of the vehicle is permitted, it said.
Apart from that the order also allows the construction of roads, irrigation projects, buildings and all kinds of industrial projects, including MSME’s, in rural areas i.e., outside the limits of municipal corporations and municipalities; and all kinds of projects in industrial estates.
MNREGA works will be allowed with strict implementations of social distancing and face mask. “Priority to be given under MNREGA to irrigation and water conservation works. Other Central and State sector schemes in irrigation and water conservation sectors may also be allowed to be implemented and suitably dovetailed with MNREGA works,” the MHA order read.
However, some activities will remain prohibited in the extended lockdown, including hospitality services other than those specifically permitted under the guidelines.
Educational institutions, coaching centers, domestic, international air travel and train services will remain closed in the extended lockdown period.
Places like cinema halls, malls, shopping complexes, gymnasiums, sports complexes, swimming pools, bars will also remain closed.
Inter-state, inter-district movement of people, metro, taxis, bus services continue to be closed till further orders.
“Inter-district and inter-state movement of individuals except for medical reasons or for activities permitted under these guidelines,” read the official statement.
All social, political, sports, religious functions, religious places will also be closed for public till May 3, it said.
In case of funeral, congregation of more than 20 persons will not be permitted, the guidelines said.
As all educational, training, coaching institutions et., shall remain closed during the extended lockdown, online teaching/distance learning will be encouraged, the order said.
Earlier, a 21-day nationwide lockdown was imposed to combat the coronavirus spread in the country. It ended yesterday (April 14), followed by an announcement by PM Modi, extending the lockdown further by 19 days, till May 3.
