MAY 1, 2020
Delhi Fire Service (DFS) personnel spray disinfectant chemicals along a road during a government-imposed nationwide lockdown as a preventive measure against the COVID-19 outbreak in New Delhi, India, on April 16.
The Home Ministry on Friday extended the national lockdown for two more weeks but eased the restrictions, more in districts that have been classified as green zones than orange and red.
Some activities such as air travel, rail, metro and inter-state movement of people will continue to be restricted irrespective of the zones. Schools, colleges and other coaching institutions, hotels and cinema halls, malls and places of worship will have to remain closed irrespective of the zone.
Green Zones
Except for these activities that are banned across the country, a home ministry statement said, all other activities are permitted in green zones. Even buses can run within the green zone provided they operate with less than 50 percent of its seating capacity.
Red Zones
All industrial and construction activity can resume and shops can open in rural areas, even if they are in a red zone.
Manufacturing units of essential goods including drugs, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, their raw material and intermediates; production units, which require continuous process, and their supply chain, jute industry with staggered shifts and social distancing; and
manufacturing of IT hardware and manufacturing units of packaging material will continue to be permitted.
Standalone shops in urban areas are also allowed without any distinction of essential and non-essential. E-Commerce activities, in the Red Zones, are permitted only in respect of essential goods.
Private offices can operate with upto 33% strength as per requirement, with the remaining persons working from home. All Government offices shall function with senior officers of the level of Deputy Secretary and above at full strength, and the remaining staff attending upto 33% as per requirement.
Orange Zones
In addition, taxis and cab aggregators will be permitted with 1 driver and 1 passenger in the orange zones.
There will, however, be restrictions on inter-district movement of individuals and vehicles will be allowed only for permitted activities. Four wheeler vehicles will have maximum two passengers besides the driver and pillion riding will be allowed on two-wheelers.
Follow the government’s latest guidance on safeguarding yourself during the coronavirus pandemic, including travel advice within and outside the country. The World Health Organization has also busted some myths surrounding coronavirus. The Ministry of Health’s special helpline is available at +91-11-23978046, ncov2019@gmail.com and ncov2019@gov.in.
Courtesy/Source: Hindustan Times
