The fourth phase of the nationwide lockdown to prevent the spread of coronavirus has begun on Monday. The Centre issued a notification in this regard on May 17 extending the curbs for two more weeks. But, the lockdown 4.0 is going to be different from the previous three phases, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said.
The home ministry accordingly issued guidelines for the lockdown 4.0, giving power to states and union territories to delineate the zones as per the COVID-19 situation taking into consideration the parameters shared by the Union Health Ministry.
Also read: Assam: 3 more Corona positive cases as tally extends to 100
In fresh guidelines, the home ministry also allowed the resumption of app-based cab services; gave permission to the functioning of all shops, markets, and commercial establishments except those in malls; and eased curbs on private offices that were previously allowed to function with 33 percent staff strength.
The nationwide lockdown was enforced by the Prime Minister on March 25, 2020, initially for 21 days to mitigate the spread of the lethal virus which was later extended.
Also read: Containment Zones In Guwahati Increase To 10. Deets Inside
States to decide various zones
Under the new guidelines for lockdown 4.0, states and union territories will now delineate Red, Green, and Orange zones taking into consideration the parameters shared by the Health Ministry. The zones can be a district, or a municipal corporation/ municipality or even smaller administrative units such as sub-divisions, etc, as decided by States and UTs.
Within the red and orange zones, containment and buffer zones will be demarcated by the local authorities, Health Ministry stated.
Within the containment zones, only essential activities shall be allowed. Strict perimeter control shall be maintained, and no movement of persons would be allowed, except for medical emergencies and for maintaining the supply of essential goods and services. Buffer zones are areas adjoining each containment zone, where new cases are more likely to appear. In the buffer zones, more caution needs to be exercised.
Also read: Containment Zones In Guwahati Increase To 10. Deets Inside
Activities prohibited during lockdown 4.0
- A limited number of activities will continue to remain prohibited throughout the country. These include
- All domestic and international air travel of passengers, except for domestic medical services, domestic air ambulance and for security purposes or purposes as permitted by MHA
- Metro rail services
- Running of schools, colleges, educational and training/coaching institutions;
- Hotels, restaurants, and other hospitality services, except for the running of canteens in bus depots, railway stations, and airports;
- Places of large public gatherings such as cinemas, shopping malls, gymnasiums entertainment parks, etc.;
- Social, political, cultural, and similar gatherings and other large congregations; and, access to religious places/places of worship for the public.
Also read: Coronavirus Pandemic: 9-Year-Old Test Positive In Assam’s Jorhat, Cases Reach 96
However, online/ distance learning shall be permitted and encouraged; and, restaurants will be allowed to operate kitchens for home delivery of food items.
Activities permitted with restrictions
- In order to facilitate the movement of persons, various modes of transport have already been opened up. Movement of individuals by trains has been permitted earlier by MHA through an order dated May 11, 2020. Further, evacuation of foreign nationals from India, the return of stranded Indian nationals from abroad, sign-on and sign-off of Indian seafarers, and intra-state and inter-state movement of stranded persons by bus and train, will continue to be allowed during the lockdown 4.0.
- Inter-State movement of vehicles and buses has also been allowed with the mutual consent of the concerned States/ UTs. Intra-State movement of vehicles and buses can be decided by the States and UTs.
- Sports complexes and stadia will be permitted to open only for sports activities. However, spectators will not be allowed in these complexes.
Also read: COVID-19 cases soar to 95 as 4 more test positive in Assam
Guidelines to follow this phase of lockdown:
- Wearing face cover is mandatory in all public places.
- Spitting in public and workplaces will be punishable with fine as per the rules and regulations of local authorities, states or union territories.
- Social distancing in public places including markets, workplaces, public transport and ceremonies like marriages, etc.
- Not more than 50 guests allowed for marriage functions.
- Funerals and last rites shall not be attended by more than 20 people.
- Consumption of liquor, gutka, pan masala, tobacco not allowed in public places.
- Shops to ensure a minimum of 6 feet distance among customers and not allow more than 5 people at a time inside the shop.
- Provision for thermal scanning, hand wash, and sanitizers to be made at all entry and exit points and common areas.
- Making or circulating a false alarm or warning to as to disaster or its severity or magnitude, leading to panic, shall on conviction, be punishable with imprisonment up to one year or with fine.
- Obstruction to any officer or employee of the central government or the state government or any authorized personnel is punishable.
Night curfew
- Night Curfew shall continue to remain in force on the movement of individuals, for all non-essential activities, between 7 pm and 7 am during the lockdown 4.0.
- Protection for Vulnerable Persons
- Vulnerable persons, i.e., persons above 65 years of age, persons with co-morbidities, pregnant women, and children below the age of 10 years, shall stay at home, except for meeting essential requirements and for health purposes.
- All activities to be Permitted other than the limited number of those that are prohibited or restricted
- All other activities will be permitted except those which are specifically prohibited under these guidelines. However, in containment zones, only essential activities shall be allowed, as mentioned earlier.
- States to decide on activities within various Zones
- States/ UTs, based on their assessment of the situation, may prohibit certain other activities in the various zones, or impose such restrictions as deemed necessary.
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