COVID-19 Pandemic: Extension of Nationwide Lockdown

inbatv Articles, Health, India

Due to the spread of Covid-19 across India, earlier on 24th March the Central Government planned to announce 21 days lockdown to control the spread of this pandemic which was later extended from 14th April till 3rd May by invoking the powers under the Disaster Management Act, 2005. 

However, just before the extended lockdown got over, according to the press release by the Ministry of Home Affairs, a comprehensive review and gains contained by lockdown in COVID-19 situation of the country, under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 decided to further extend the lockdown period for two weeks beyond 4th May.

Further, in the view of this 3rd phase of the lockdown period, new guidelines were issued by the MHA based on the risk profiling areas that are divided into Red, Green, and Orange Zones.

The criterion for such division was issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, in the letter dated 30th April. Based on that Green Zones are those districts with zero confirmed cases; Red Zones are classified based on a total number of active cases, rate of confirmed cases, and the extent of testing and surveillance feedback from districts; and lastly, Orange Zones would be those which are neither included in Green or Red Zones.

Guidelines in 3.0 Lockdown

  1. Common restrictions:

According to new guidelines all kinds of public transport (except for the movement of persons for selected purpose as permitted by MHA), schools, colleges, and other educational institutions, hospitality services including hotels and restaurants, cinema halls and other places of high public gatherings including religious gatherings, are prohibited.

However, the movement of individuals for non-essential purposes will be restricted between 7 PM to 7 Am, violating such instructions actions can be taken by appropriate authorities under Sec 144 CrPC. 

  • Red Zones

Except for common restrictions red zones are liable to prone certain more restrictions, according to which cycle rickshaws and autorickshaws, taxis and cab aggregators, buses for Intra and inter-district, barber, spas and salons are restricted

Industrial establishments

Export Oriented Units, industrial estates SEZs are permitted to operate. Other industrial activities include in manufacturing units of essential goods, including drug pharmaceuticals, medical devices, raw materials and intermediates, IT hardware manufacturers, jute industry, with the proper measures of social distancing.   

Shops and E-commerce activities

Malls, market complexes, markets are to remain closed in Urban areas, however, standalone shops, colony shops, and residential shops are permitted to remain open without any restrictions for essential and non-essential products. E-commerce activities are only permitted for essential activities.

However, in Rural areas all shops re permitted except for shopping malls; also agricultural activities, animal husbandry; plantation activities; health services, and financial sectors are all permitted in both rural and urban areas.

  • Orange Zones

Including all the permitted activities of red zones, taxi and cab aggregators with 1 driver and 2 passengers only; individuals and vehicles movement interstates are permitted for specified activities; four and two-wheeler have a limited number of passengers permitted.   

  • Green Zones

All activities are permitted in such areas, except for the general restrictions which are laid over the whole nation. However, buses and bus depots can operate up to 50% of capacity.

  • Permitted activities 

All goods traffic is permitted, no State/ UT shall stop the movement of cargo for cross-border trade under treaties with neighbouring countries, which are essential for maintaining the supply chains during lockdown period, and for such activity, no separate passes would be required.

All activities in such areas are permitted which are not specifically restricted. Also, there is no requirement of any separate permission required for already permitted activities.

However, for all such permissions, the final decision would be based on an assessment of the situation of COVID-19 in State/UTs to keep a check on the spread of this pandemic.

Submitted by

Sakshi Raje

Student reporter, INBA