The Ministry of Home Affairs on 15th April 2020 has notified guidelines for enforcing the second phase of the covid 19 lockdown. In order to mitigate the hardship of the public and to relax restrictions for the daily wage workers and farmers, select additional activities have been allowed with effect from 20th of April in the areas which are not declared as Containment Zones.
These new measures shall be enforced during extended lockdown scheduled to remain in place till May 3.
Key Highlights from the guidelines.
- Workplaces have been asked to implement specific measures to contain the spread of the virus, including staggered lunch breaks, a gap of one hour between shifts, and encouraging work-from-home arrangements for some employees, such as senior citizens older than 65.
- A standard operating procedure on social distancing has been created for workplaces, factories and other establishments
- Hospitals, veterinary hospitals and all related medical establishments, including their manufacturing and distribution units, both in public and private sector, pharmaceutical research labs, clinics, nursing homes, ambulance etc. will continue to remain functional.
- The guidelines also stated that work at construction projects where workers are available on site are allowed to carry on their work.
- E-commerce companies and vehicles used by e-commerce operators will be allowed to ply after procuring necessary permissions.
- Hotels, homestays, lodges and motels, which are accommodating tourists and persons stranded due to lockdown, medical and emergency staff, air and sea crew shall remain in operation.
In order to implement these containment measures, according to the guidelines, the district magistrate will enforce the new National Directives. Penal action, including fines, will be based on the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
Click here to read the Notification.
