New Delhi: The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued guidelines for the imposition of the second phase countrywide lockdown from today to contain the spread of the deadly Coronavirus. While most of the restrictions are same as before, the new guidelines make it compulsory to wear face mask in all public places and workplaces. It also stipulates fine for spitting in public places.
According to the guidelines, construction activities in the rural areas will be allowed during the lockdown and construction activities in municipal (urban) areas will only be allowed if workers are staying on-site. It also allows goods processing, manufacturing units and industries in rural areas.
As earlier, gymnasiums, sports complexes, swimming pools, bars, cinema halls, malls and shopping complexes will remain closed till the lockdown period ends.
All educational institutions, coaching centers, domestic and international air travel as well as train services to remain suspended till May 3rd. All inter-state and district restriction on movement of people, including metro, bus services will continue till May 3.
All social, political, sports, religious functions, places of worship shall be closed for public till May 3. MHA guidelines also state that farming operations, including procurement of agricultural products and agriculture marketing through notified mandis and direct and decentralized marketing will be allowed in areas that are not hotspots of coronavirus after review on April 20.
In a relief to the diary industry, the guidelines allow the supply chain of milk, milk products, poultry and live-stock farming and tea, coffee and rubber plantations to resume.
The guidelines state “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,”.