NEW DELHI : The Centre on Tuesday released set of relaxations on lockdown for the country, applicable only from 20 April, a period within which the govt plans to install stringent mechanisms to cope up with the rising menace of coronavirus around the country. The relaxations however shall not be passed on to areas marked as Covid hotspots.
In Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, Pathanamthitta, Thrissur, Alappuzha, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasaragod are listed as hotspots. In addition, certain parts of Kasaragod are subject to ‘triple lockdown’.
New Instructions From Centre
ð Hotels, hostels and post offices can commence operations.
ð IT firms may function on strength of up to 50 percent of staffers.
ð Wholesale markets can open.
ð Though public transport will stay shuttered, cargo vehicles can ferry commodities.
ð Employment Guarantee Scheme can be worked with social distancing in place.
ð Ration Shops can stay open.
ð Outlets selling provision, vegetables, milk, meat, fish, cattle feed, pet foods, fertilizer, pesticides and seeds too can commence operations. These must however try to make home deliveries the maximum time possible.
ð Banks and insurance offices can stay open. IT firms providing services to banks, those handling bank correspondences and agencies entrusted with loading cash into ATM machines too can function.
ð Roads and building construction and activities related to irrigation scheme can be resumed.
ð Schools and other educational institutions shall remain closed.
ð Works at various estates can be resumed.
ð Central govt offices can function but only on 33 percent staff strength.
ð Air and rail services to stay suspended until 3 May.
ð Commercial establishments and non-essential businesses to remain closed.
ð Places of worship should remain closed.
ð Also, no public gathering shall be held for prayers or worship purposes.
ð Ban on sale of liquor, cigarette and tobacco products.
ð Mask mandatory at public and work places.
ð Medical laboratories can function
ð Bars, malls and theatres shall remain closed.
ð Restrictions applicable to marriage and funeral ceremonies.
ð Travel permits for people dealing in livestock, fish and poultry.
ð Spitting in public place a punishable offence.
ð Manufacturing units producing essentials shall operate only after special permit of state govt.
ð Coal and mining sector can commence operations subject to lockdown restrictions.
ð Units engaged in packaging food and medical supplies can remain operational.
ð Tea estates can remain open. However only 50 percent of the workforce shall be present at any given time.
Vechicle Controls :
ð Only vehicles carrying essential goods shall be permitted to ply.
ð One can travel by private vehicle to shop for essentials. However the occupants in such vehicles would be restricted to driver and just another passenger.
ð Fire brigades, police vehicles and ambulances can ply on road.
ð Operations at airport, seaport and railway shall be limited to cargo movement only.
ð Vehicles can run interstate in order if transporting cargo.
ð Interstate vehicles are also allowed to ferry petroleum, LPG, food items, essential commodities, medical equipments and medicine.
ð Harvesting tools and farm equipments would be allowed.
ð Foreigners can choose to leave the country subject to strict mandates.
