The new lockdown relaxation guidelines were issued after PM Narendra Modi extended the lockdown till May 3, 2020
The Ministry of Home Affairs today, i.e., Wednesday, April 15, 2020, issued guidelines on relaxations on restrictions which may be allowed after April 20, 2020.
The new guidelines were issued after the Prime Minister of India – Narendra Modi extended the lockdown till May 3, 2020 yesterday and said that certain States who do well to contain the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) will be given certain relaxations.
The order has been issued by the Home Secretary – Ajay Bhalla. He also said that further relaxation in restrictions will be allowed to States only after reviewing the situation on April 20, 2020. If found suitable, following activities will be allowed:
- Movement of Cargo: Following activities will be covered under this:
• All goods traffic will be allowed to ply
• Transportation of goods and parcel trains
• Operation of Airports and related facilities for air transport for cargo movement, relief and evacuation
• Operation of seaports and Inland Container Depots (ICDs) for cargo transport, including authorised custom clearing and forwarding agents
• Operation of land ports for cross land border transportation of essential goods, including petroleum products and LPG, food products and medical supplies
• Movement of all trucks and other goods/carrier vehicles with two drivers and one helper
• Shops for truck repairs and dhabas on highways, provided they abide by social distancing law
• Movement of staff and contractual labour for operations of railways, airports/air carriers, seaports/ships/vessels, landports and ICDs on passes - Farming Operations: This covers farming, fisheries, plantation and animal husbandry:
Farming
• Farming operations by farmers and farm workers on the field
• Agencies engaged in procurement of agriculture products, including MSP operations
• Mandis operated by APMC or as notified by State/UT government. States/UTs may promote decentralised marketing and procurement at village level
• Shops of agriculture machinery, its spare parts and repairs
• Custom hiring Centres related to farm machinery
• Manufacturing, distribution and retail of fertilizers, pesticides and seeds
• Movement (inter and intra State) of harvesting and sowing related machines
Fisheries
• Operations of the fishing (marine and inland) / aquaculture industry, including feeding and maintenance, harvesting, processing, packaging, cold chain, sale and marketing
• Hatcheries, feed plants and commercial aquaria
• Movement of fish / shrimp and fish products, fish seed / feed and workers
Plantation
• Operations of tea, coffee and rubber plantations, with maximum of 50% of workers
• Processing, packaging, sale and marketing of tea, coffee, rubber and cashew, with maximum 50% workers
Animal Husbandry
• Collection, processing, distribution and sale of milk and milk products by milk processing plants, including transport and supply chain
• Operation of animal husbandry farms including poultry farms and hatcheries and livestock farming
• Animal feed manufacturing and feed plants, including supply of raw materials
• Operation of animal shelter homes including Gaushalas
- Commercial and Private Establishments: This includes:
• Print and electronic media including broadcasting, DTH and cable services
• IT and IT enabled services with up to 50% strength
• Data and call centres for Government activities only
• Government approved Common Services Centres at Gram Panchayat level
• E-Commerce companies and vehicles used by them
• Courier services
• Cold storage and warehousing services, including at ports, airports, railway stations, container depots, individual units and other links in logistics chain
• Private security services and facilities management services
• Hotels, homestays, lodges and motels which are accommodating tourists and persons stranded due to lockdown, medical and emergency staff air and sea crew
• Establishments used / earmarked for quarantine facilities
• Services provided by self-employed persons like electrician, IT, repairs, plumbers, motor mechanics and carpenters - Industries in Rural Areas: To provide an impetus to the rural economy, industries operating in rural areas, including food processing industries, construction of roads, irrigation projects, buildings and industrial projects, works under MNREGA, rural Common Service Centres (CSCs) have all been allowed. These activities will create job opportunities for rural labour, including the migrant labour force
- Manufacturing and other Industrial Establishments: Manufacturing and other industrial establishments with access control have been permitted in Special Economic Zones (SEZs), EoUs, industrial estates and industrial townships after implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for social distancing. Manufacture of IT hardware and of essential goods and packaging are also allowed. Coal, mineral and oil production have also been permitted. Besides, Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Banks, ATMs, capital and debt markets as notified by Securities & Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and insurance companies will also remain functional
- Health Services: The revised guidelines also permit all health services and the social sector to remain functional. Public utilities to function without any hindrance. The offices of Central and State Governments and local bodies will also remain open with required strength.
