If you’re under lockdown in cities, here's how the government's new rules will affect your day

Advertisement
If you’re under lockdown in cities, here's how the government's new rules will affect your day

Advertisement
Advertisement
  • The government of India has introduced new regulations of the nation wide lockdown.
  • Certain restrictions have been relaxed for areas that aren't hotspots or containment zones.
  • If you live in the city, here's a cheat sheet of services that will still be available to you.
The government of India introduced new regulations for the nationwide lockdown that’s set to continue till May 3 to contain the spread of Coronavirus. Air travel, train travel, religious gatherings are still banned. However, there have been some relaxations for select states abut only if they show they can adhere to the guidelines.

If things take a turn for the worse, these exemptions can be pulled back just as easily, according to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to the nation on yesterday, April 14.

Hotspots — areas where a large number of Coronavirus cases have been reported — will still have to adhere to strict containment zone guidelines that limit the movement of people.

However, the government has provided a list of 17 categories, which are exempt from the lockdown rules. Here’s a cheat sheet for those living in cities and the services that matter the most to them:
{{}}

Grocery stores will be open.

Grocery stores will be open.

Any facility in the supply chain of essential goods — whether its manufacturing, distribution or e-commerce — will be allowed to operate while ensuring strict social distancing.

Any facility in the supply chain of essential goods — whether its manufacturing, distribution or e-commerce — will be allowed to operate while ensuring strict social distancing.
Advertisement

Hotels and homestays which are accommodating stranded tourists and students are allowed to remain open.

Hotels and homestays which are accommodating stranded tourists and students are allowed to remain open.

Movement of people is only allowed if a person is providing an emergency service or is travelling between work — if the select office is required to stay open.

Movement of people is only allowed if a person is providing an emergency service or is travelling between work — if the select office is required to stay open.
Advertisement

Emergency services like police, home guard, fire services, prisons and disaster management are allowed to function without any restrictions.

Emergency services like police, home guard, fire services, prisons and disaster management are allowed to function without any restrictions.

All health services, including the provisions under Aayushman Bharat Yojana, will remain functional. This also includes vets and other veterinary facilities.

All health services, including the provisions under Aayushman Bharat Yojana, will remain functional. This also includes vets and other veterinary facilities.
Advertisement

Even though domestic and international air travel is still banned, medical and veterinary personnel will be allowed to travel within and between states — by air if necessary.

Even though domestic and international air travel is still banned, medical and veterinary personnel will be allowed to travel within and between states — by air if necessary.

Essential services in the financial sector like operations of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), bank branches, ATMs, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), and the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDAI) will be functional.

Essential services in the financial sector like operations of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), bank branches, ATMs, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), and the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDAI) will be functional.
Advertisement

onlinelearning

onlinelearning

The government is also encouraging the use of online platforms to promote distance learning. They’ve recommended that Doordarshan and other educational channels should be utilised for teaching purposes as much as possible.

Anganwadis will be allowed to continue to supply essential food items but beneficiaries are not to come to the actual physical locations. The distribution shall take place door-to-door.

Anganwadis will be allowed to continue to supply essential food items but beneficiaries are not to come to the actual physical locations. The distribution shall take place door-to-door.
Advertisement

Public services like post offices, petrol pumps, water and sanitation facilities, and — as a relief to many — telecommunication and internet services will be operational.

Public services like post offices, petrol pumps, water and sanitation facilities, and — as a relief to many — telecommunication and internet services will be operational.

Transportation facilities like trains and planes will be allowed to operate, but only for the transportation of cargo — not people.

Transportation facilities like trains and planes will be allowed to operate, but only for the transportation of cargo — not people.
Advertisement

Anyone found violating these rules will be booked under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code in addition to being booked under Section 51 to 60 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005.

Anyone found violating these rules will be booked under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code in addition to being booked under Section 51 to 60 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
Next StoryLockdown 2.0: Money and jobs gone, stranded migrants desperate to return home