The third phase of the countrywide lockdown begins Monday with “considerable relaxations”, but curbs will continue in containment areas so that the gains achieved so far in the fight against COVID-19 are not “squandered away”, officials said Sunday.
The country has beendivided in three zones — Red, Orange and Green – based on coronavirusrisk-profiling. The extended lockdown is slated to last till May 17.
Accordingto the Home Ministry, activities prohibited throughout the country,irrespective of the zones are: air, rail, metro travel; inter-state movement byroad; schools, colleges, and other educational, training and coachinginstitutions; hospitality services, including hotels and restaurants.
Placesof large public gatherings — cinema halls, malls, gymnasiums, sports complexes— social, political, cultural and other kinds of gatherings and religious orpublic worship places are in the prohibited list.
However, movement ofindividuals for non-essential activities in all zones, barring containmentareas, is allowed but strictly between 7 am and 7 pm.
Barber shops, spas andsalons in Green and Orange zones is allowed to open as is the sale ofnon-essential items by e-commerce firms.
In all zones, personsabove 65 years of age, those with underlying health conditions, pregnant women,and children below 10 years shall stay at home, except for essential and healthpurposes.
Movement of people by air,rail and road is allowed for select purposes, and for purposes as permitted bythe MHA. In containment areas, movements of people is totally banned andessential services are delivered at the doorsteps.
The list of permittedactivities also include: OPDs and medical clinics in all zones with socialdistancing norms and other precautions. However, these will not be permitted incontainment zones.
All goods traffic will bepermitted and no state or UT shall stop the movement of cargo for crossland-border trade under treaties with neighbouring countries.
Industrial establishmentsin urban areas, like Special Economic Zones (SEZs), Export Oriented Units(EOUs), industrial estates and industrial townships with access control havebeen permitted from Monday in all zones, except containment areas.
Private offices can operate in red zones with up to 33 per cent strength with the remaining persons working from home.