Here are MHA's guidelines, rules for the extended lockdown till May 3
Hoping to ease the burden on people, the Government on Tuesday announced opening up of industries in rural areas, construction sector, IT and IT Enabled Services (ITES), Special Economic Zones (SEZ), activities related to agriculture as well as work under MNREGA from April 20 but with restrictions during the Covid-19 lockdown that has now been extended till May 3.
Read: Coronavirus India update: State-wise total number of confirmed cases, deaths
The guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) also made wearing of masks compulsory, prohibiting spitting in public places besides banning sale of liquor, gutka and tobacco while insisting local authorities to ensure that social distancing should be practised in strict sense in both public and work spaces.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday announced extending the 21-day lockdown ending that was to end on April 14 but had said there would be relaxations to allow economic activities to re-start. The guidelines now allow the partial opening up of industrial sector, which was severely hit by the lockdown, and the government now hopes that the "limited exemptions" to resume economic activities would be beneficial for rural and agricultural development and job creation.
Though the Centre has allowed starting operations in certain sectors from April 20, the guidelines have made it clear that the states should first prepare ground for it before allowing the resumption of activities.
According to the guidelines, industries operating in rural areas (outside the limits of municipalities and corporations), manufacturing and industrial establishments with access control in SEZs, Export Oriented Units, industrial estates and industrial townships are allowed to resume operations. However, these establishments will have to make arrangements for the stay of workers as far as possible in its premises or adjacent buildings.
An official statement said relaxations were aimed at ensuring that agricultural and related activities remain "fully functional", the rural economy functions with "maximum efficiency" and employment opportunities are "created" for daily wage earners among others.
The guidelines also expanded the scope of relaxations for IT industry by now allowing IT and ITES services to start operations but with a capacity of a maximum 50% staff as well as IT hardware manufacturing units.
Earlier, only essential services under the IT sector were allowed. However, private call centres continue to be the ambit of the exemptions, as only data and call centres related to government are allowed to function.
Plantation sector also got some relief as coffee, tea and rubber plantations as well as services linked to it are allowed to function but with a maximum of 50% workers. Food processing units in rural areas, packing material manufacturing units, production and related activities of mines and mineral production are also allowed along.
In another attempt to boost activities in rural areas, brick-kilns in such localities are also allowed to operate.
In some relief for realty sector, government allowed continuation of works in construction projects in urban areas where workers are available on site and nor workers are required to be brought from outside. Similar activities in rural areas also will start with the guidelines permitting allowing building of roads, structures, industrial projects and industrial estates. Construction of renewable energy projects are also allowed.
In a bid to provide relief for the rural poor, especially the migrant workers who have returned to villages, the government also decided to allowed work under the rural job guarantee scheme so that there is cash flow in these areas. MNREGA works will be allowed with strict implementation of social distancing and face mask. Priority should be given to irrigation and water conservation works. Other central and state schemes in irrigation and water conservation must be allowed to be implemented and suitably dovetailed with MNREGA works.
The guidelines have also asked states to ensure cargo movement. It has now allowed two drivers and a helper in goods and carrier vehicles. Shops for truck repair and dhabas on highways will also be allowed.
"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 labour, including the migrant labour force," it said.
The government believes that the resumption of manufacturing and other industrial establishments with access control in Special Economic Zones, Export Oriented Units and industrial estates and townships as well as IT hardware and coal among others will see these sectors seeing a "revival" and create job opportunities.
In what could be a relief for people, they can avail the services of electricians, plumbers and motor mechanics during this period. This would also help these self-employed people earn money though the continuing ban on taxis, auto-rickshaws and cab aggregators would hit drivers.
The government machinery will also be augmented with the guidelines allowing all central government officers above the level of Deputy Secretary being asked to report for duty while for the remaining staff, only up to 33% staff are to be deployed. So far only senior officers from the rank of Joint Secretaries and above and essential staff were manning government offices while others were working from home.
At public places, no organisation or manager of a public place allow gathering of five or more persons. Gatherings such as marriages and funerals will remain regulated by District Magistrate.
All work places shall have adequate arrangements for temperature screening and provide sanitisers at convenient places. Work places should have a gap of one hour between shifts and will stagger the lunch breaks of staff to ensure social distancing.
Persons above 65 years, persons with co-morbidities and parents of children below the age of five years may be encouraged to work from home.
Below are the detailed guidelines:
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