Centre notifies new set of guidelines in light of extension of nationwide lockdown till 3rd May

The Centre
today notified a new set of guidelines in light of the extension of the
nationwide lockdown till 3rd of May. In order to mitigate the hardship for the
public and relax provisions for the daily wage workers and farmers, select
additional activities have been allowed which will come into effect from 20th
of April in the areas which are not declared as Containment Zones.

Government
has stated that all agricultural and horticultural activities including farming
operations and farm workers in field, agencies engaged in procurement of
agriculture products, including MSP operations, Mandis’ operated by the
Agriculture Produce Market Committee, Shops of agriculture machinery will
remain fully functional during this time. Movement of all trucks and other
goods carrier vehicles with two drivers and one helper subject to the driver
carrying a valid driving license to remain functional. Government has
emphasized that even empty trucks and other such transport carriers should be
allowed to ply.

In addition,
all finance related institutions and health related services will remain fully
functional. Government has stated that all facilities in the supply chain of
essential goods, whether involved in manufacturing, wholesale or retail of such
goods through local stores, large brick and mortar stores or e-Commerce
companies should be allowed to operate. In a major relaxation, services
provided by self-employed persons like electrician, IT repairs, plumbers, motor
mechanics and carpenters will also be allowed to operate in all such areas
which are not demarcated as Containment Zones.

The
guidelines also stated that work at construction projects where workers are
available on site and no workers are required to be brought in from outside to
begin in such municipalities or municipal corporations. Private vehicles for
emergency services, including medical and veterinary care, and for procuring
essential commodities would also be allowed. 
All personnel travelling to place of work and back in the exempted
categories as per the instructions of the State and local authority to be
allowed as well.

MGNREGA
works would be allowed with strict implementation of social distancing norms
and face mask. Operations of Oil and Gas sector, including refining,
transportation, distribution, storage and retailing of products like petrol,
diesel, kerosene, CNG, LPG, PNG is also to be allowed. Generation, transmission
and distribution of power at Central and State/UT levels to remain functional.
Operations of Seaports and Inland Container Depots for cargo transport,
including authorized custom clearing and forwarding agents will function as
well. Print and electronic media including broadcasting, DTH and cable services
to remain functional. IT and IT enabled Services have been allowed to resume
functioning with up to 50 percent strength.

E-commerce
companies and vehicles used by e-commerce operators will be allowed to ply
after procuring necessary permissions. Centre has stated that Cold storage and
warehousing services, including at ports, airports, Railway Stations Container
Depots, individual units and other links in the logistics chain will remain
functional. The guidelines also mention that all Private security services and
facilities management services for maintenance and upkeep of office and
residential complexes shall be allowed to operate.

Hotels,
homestays, lodges and motels, which are accommodating tourists and persons
stranded due to lockdown, medical and emergency staff, air and sea crew shall
remain in operation. Industries operating in rural areas and outside the limits
of municipal corporations and municipalities and manufacturing and other
industrial establishments with access control in Special Economic Zones and
Export Oriented Units, industrial estates and industrial townships are also
allowed to function as per the new set of guidelines. However, it states that
these establishments should ensure arrangements for stay of workers within
their premises as far as possible and practice of social distancing should be
followed.

Manufacturing
units of essential goods, including drugs, pharmaceuticals medical devices,
their raw material and intermediates and food processing industries in rural
areas to remain functional as well. Construction of roads, irrigation projects,
buildings and all kinds of industrial projects, including MSMEs, in rural
areas, outside the limits of municipal corporations and municipalities and all
kinds of projects in industrial estates to resume functioning after the 20th of
April. Postal services, including Post Offices, operations of Railways for transportation
of goods and operation of airports for cargo movement, relief and evacuation
measures are to remain functional.

Government has also stated that all offices of
the Government of India, it’s Autonomous and Subordinate offices will remain
open and Police, Home Guards, Civil Defence, Fire and Emergency Services,
Disaster Management, Prisons and Municipal Services will functional without any
restrictions.  All other Departments of
State and UT Governments shall work with restricted staff. All industrial and
commercial establishments, work places, offices are directed to put in place
arrangements for implementation of strict operating procedures following the
containment procedures. Centre has also stated that strict penal action will be
taken against any person violating the lockdown measures and asked everyone to
adhere to all the protocols issued by the go