After Largest Spike In COVID-19 Cases, MHA Issues Fresh Guidelines For Lockdown 2.0

New Delhi: India on Tuesday registered an increase of 1,211 COVID-19 cases and 31 deaths in 24 hours, making it the largest spike in cases since January. Then followed the announcement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the lockdown has been extended till May 3, which the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said was essential to break the transmission chain.

The next 12 hours saw 24 more deaths, taking the toll to 377. The positive cases count in the country rose to 11,439 on Wednesday, according to the Ministry. With 1306 cured/discharged/migrated, the total number of active coronavirus cases stand at 9756.

Amid the rising concern over spread of the virus, the Ministry of Home Affair on Wednesday issued guidelines for COVID-19 Lockdown 2.0, which prohibits all public travel, operation of educational institutions and makes it mandatory for people to wear homemade face covers at workplaces. Fines will be slapped for spitting.

From April 20, agri-farm works, goods transport and MNREGA work will be allowed, it said.

PROHIBITED

> All domestic and international air travel of passengers, except for essential purposes and for security purposes.

>  All passenger movement by trains, except for security purposes.

> Buses for public transport.

> Metro rail services.

> Inter-district and inter-State movement of individuals except for medical reasons or for activities permitted under these guidelines.

> All educational. training, coaching institutions shall remain closed.

> All industrial and commercial activities other than those specifically permitted under these guidelines.

> Hospitality services other than those specifically permitted under these guidelines.

> Taxis, including auto rickshaws and cycle rickshaws, and services of cab
aggregators,

>  All cinema halls, malls, shopping complexes, gymnasiums, sports complexes, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, bars and auditoriums, assembly halls and similar places.

>  All social/ political/ sports/ entertainment/ academic/ cultural/ religious functions/ other gatherings.

> All religious places/ places of worship shall be closed for public. Religious congregations are strictly prohibited

>  In case of funerals, congregation of more than twenty persons will not be permitted.

COVID-19 HOTSPOTS & CONTAINMENT ZONES

There shall be strict perimeter control in the area of the containment zones to ensure that there is no unchecked inward/outward  movement of population from these zones except for maintaining essential services (including medical emergencies and law and order related duties) and government business continuity.

SELECT PERMITTED ACTIVITIES FROM APRIL 20

> All health services (including AYUSH) to remain functional, such as hospitals, nursing homes. clinics, telemedicine facilities.

> Dispensaries, chemists, pharmacies, all kinds of medicine shops including Jan Aushadhi Kendras and medical equipment shops,

> Medical laboratories and collection centres.

> Pharmaceutical and medical research labs, institutions carrying out COVID-19-related research.

> Veterinary hospitals, dispensaries, clinics, pathology labs, sale and supply of vaccine and medicine.

>  Authorised private establishments, which support the provisioning of essential services, or efforts for containment of COVID-19, including home care providers, diagnostics, supply chain firms serving hospitals.

> Manufacturing units of drugs, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, medical oxygen, their packaging material, raw material and intermediates.

> Construction of medical/ health infrastructure, including manufacture of ambulances.

> Movement (inter and intra State, including by air} of all medical and veterinary personnel, scientists, nurses, para-medical staff, lab technicians, mid-wives and other hospital support services, including ambulances.

Agricultural and related activities: All agricultural and horticultural activities to remain fully functional.

> Farming operations by farmers and farm workers in field.

>  Agencies engaged in procurement of agriculture products, including MSP operations.

Mandis’ operated by the Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) or as notified by the State/ UT Government (e.g., satellite mandis). Direct marketing operations by the State/ UT Government or by industry. directly