Lockdown guidelines: What opens in non-coronavirus hotspots from April 20 and what doesn’t

The government on Wednesday issued new guidelines a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended the coronavirus lockdown till May 3. Activities like agriculture, IT, e-commerce and inter-state transport will be allowed after April 20 to mitigate hardships of public.

"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," read the guidelines.

Exemptions given from April 20 will not be applicable in COVID-19 hotspots or containment zones, said MHA

Farming operations, including procurement of agricultural products and agriculture marketing through notified mandis and direct and decentralized marketing will be allowed in areas that are not COVID-19 hotspots after April 20.

The supply chain of milk, milk products, poultry and live-stock farming and tea, coffee and rubber plantations will resume.

"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 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 will be allowed in SEZs, EoUs, industrial estates and industrial townships after implementation of SOP for social distancing.

Wearing of masks will be compulsory in public places across country in wake of COVID-19 situation, said MHA

Permitted industries must make arrangements for stay of workers within their premises or adjacent buildings for social distancing, said MHA

What opens in non-coronavirus hotspots from April 20 and what doesn’t

• Shops of farm machinery, its spare parts, supply chain, repairs, 'Custom Hiring Centres' related to machinery will open
• From April 20 activities permitted include agricultural, horticultural, farming, procurement of agri products, 'mandis
• Manufacturing units of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, construction of medical infrastructure will remain open from April 20.
• Highway 'dhabas', truck repairing shops, call centres for govt activities will resume.
• Grocery stores, fruit, vegetables shops or carts, milk booths, poultry, meat and fish shops will also open during lockdown.
• Services provided by self-employed electricians, IT repairs, plumbers, motor mechanics, carpenters will be allowed from April 20
• Industries operating in rural areas will be permitted to run from April 30 with strict social distancing norms
• Manufacturing, industrial units with access control in SEZs, Export Oriented Units, industrial estates, townships to function
• Inter-state, inter-district movement of people, metro, bus services continue to be prohibited till May 3
• Educational institutions, coaching centres, domestic, international air travel, train services to remain suspended till May 3
• Cinema halls, malls, shopping complexes, gymnasiums, sports complexes, swimming pools, bars to remain closed till May 3
• All social, political, sports, religious functions, religious places, places of worship shall be closed for public till May 3