Home Ministry revised Guidelines on lockdow 2.0 

Prime Minister, Sh. Narender Modi in his address to the nation on 14.04.2020 declared extension of the lockdown till 03^rd May, 2020 and relaxations could be given to certain areas with proper guidelines till April 20, every block, district, and state will be analysed closely about the enforcement of the lockdown and how much ever area is being saved from spread of coronavirus.

Key Highlights of the Speech:

• 220 testing labs now working
• Bed Arrangement: over 1 lakh beds.
• Over 600 hospitals are COVID-dedicated.
• take care of senior citizens – those who have old diseases,
• wear home face covers or home-made masks and
• improve your immunity by following AYUSH department guidelines.
• Download the Aarogya Setu App

Objective of Revised Guidelines on Lockdown 2.0

The objective of the revised guidelines is to consolidate the gains achieved during the 1st phase of lockdown and further slow down the spread of Covid 19 and at the same time provide relief to farmers, labourers and daily wage earners

1. List of Activities Prohibited During Lockdown 2.0 till 03^rd May, 2020 for all States:

• Air Travel of Passengers, except Security and Essential Services
• All Passengers movement by trains except Security and Essential Services
• Buses for public transport
• Metro Rail Services
• All kind of movement except for Medical, Security and Essential Services.
• All Education/Coaching institutions shall remain Closed.
• Industrial – Commercial Activities and Hospitality Services shall remain closed other than those specifically permitted under these guidelines.
• All kind of gathering / functions are not allowed.
• In case of Funeral, congregation of more than 20 person will not be permitted.

2. Guidelines for Hotspots Zones:

• Activities allowed under these guidelines will not be permitted to these areas.
• There shall be Strict perimeter control to ensure that there is no unchecked inward / outward movement of population except for maintaining essential services. 

3. Permitted activities allowed w.e.f. 20.04.2020: 

• Only essential services are to be permitted in these zones and strict perimeter control and strict restrictions on movement enforced.
• Agricultural and related activities remain fully functional, the rural economy functions with maximum efficiency, employment opportunities are created for daily wage earners and other members of the labour force.
• select industrial activities are allowed to resume their operations, with adequate safeguards and mandatory standard operating protocols (SOPs) and the digital economy.
• National Directives for COVID-19 management have been laid down, which shall be enforced by the District Magistrates through fines and penal action as prescribed in the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
• Transportation of goods will be permitted without any distinction of essential or non essential.
• Farming operations, including procurement of agricultural products, agriculture marketing through notified Mandis and direct and decentralized 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, milkproducts, poultry and live-stock farming; and tea, coffee and rubber plantations are allowed to be functional.
• Industries operating in rural areas, including food processing industries; construction of roads, irrigation projects, buildings and industrial projects in rural areas; works under MNREGA, with priority to irrigation and water conservation works; and operation of rural Common Service Centres (CSCs) have all been allowed. These activities will create job opportunities for rural labor, including the migrant labor force.
• 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. Manufacture of IT hardware and of essential goods and packagings are also allowed.
• Important components of the financial sector, e.g., RBI, banks, ATMs, capital and debt markets as notified by SEBI and insurance companies will also remain functional, with a view to provide enough liquidity and credit support to the industrial sectors.
• Digital Economy: E-commerce operations, operations of IT and IT enabled services, data and call centres for Government activities, and online teaching and distance learning are all permitted activities now.
• All health services and the social sector to remain functional; public utilities to function without any hindrance; the supply chain of essential goods to operate without any hindrance; and, important offices of Central and State Governments and local bodies to remain open with required strength.

Aim of these Revised Guidelines:

The revised consolidated guidelines are aimed at operating those sectors of the economy which are critical from the perspective of rural and agricultural development and job creation, while maintaining strict protocols in areas where safety is paramount to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the country.

Source: Press Release and Twitter handle. 

• Author can be contacted at lalitrajput537@gmail.com