Find out what is 'allowed' and 'not allowed' post May 4

Update as of May 1, 2020, states that the lockdown in India has been extended until May 18, 2020, i.e. two more weeks from May 4, 2020. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India, has issued new guidelines for 'Green Zones' where the restrictions would be lifted partially after May 4, 2020. State government officials have been asked to strictly regulate these areas and follow the norms. 

Here are some points mentioned in the report released regarding the restriction which will be lifted in green and some orange zones.

1. Movement of individuals, for all non-essential activities, shall remain strictly prohibited between 7 pm to 7 am.

2. In all zones, 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.

3. Out-Patient Departments (OPDs) and Medical clinics shall be permitted to operate in Red, Orange and Green Zones, with social distancing norms and other safety precautions; however, these will not be permitted within the Containment Zones.

What is allowed and not allowed in Red Zones

1. Movement of individuals and vehicles is allowed in red zones, only for permitted activities. A maximum of 2 persons (besides the driver) in four-wheeler vehicles, and with no pillion rider in the case of two-wheelers.

2. Industrial establishments in urban areas, viz., Special Economic Zones (SEZs), Export Oriented Units (EOUs), industrial estates and industrial townships with access control have been allowed.

3. Construction activities in urban areas are allowed but will be limited and permitted only where workers are available on site and no workers are required to be brought in from outside

4. Standalone or single shops along with the ones in the neighbourhood or colony and in residential complexes are allowed and permitted to remain open in urban areas, without any distinction of essential and non-essential.

5. E-Commerce activities, in the Red Zones, are permitted only in respect of essential goods.

6. Private offices are allowed but can operate with up to 33 per cent strength as per requirement, with the remaining persons working from home. All Government offices shall function with senior officers of the level of Deputy Secretary and above at full strength, and the remaining staff attending up to 33 per cent as per requirement.

7. Following  industrial activities are allowed and permitted in rural areas

• Manufacturing units of essential goods such as drugs, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, their raw material and intermediates
• Production units which require continuous process, and their supply chain
• Manufacturing of IT hardware
• Jute industry with staggered shifts and social distancing
• Manufacturing units of packaging material.
  • Industrial and construction activities in rural areas  
    • MNREGA works, 
    • Food-processing units 
    • Brick-kilns
  • All agricultural activities in rural areas
    • Sowing
    • Harvesting
    • Procurement
    • Marketing operations of agricultural supply chain
  • Animal Husbandry
    • Inland and marine fisheries
  • Plantation activities including their processing and marketing
  • All health services (including AYUSH) including transport of medical personnel and patients through air ambulances. 
  • A large part of the financial sector remains open,
    • Banks
    • Non-banking finance companies (NBFCs)
    • Insurance and capital market activities
    • Credit co-operative societies. 
  • Operation of homes for children, senior citizens, destitute, women and widows etc.
  • Operation of Anganwadis
  • Public utility like
    • Utilities in power
    • Water, sanitation
    • Waste management
    • Telecommunications
    • Internet
    • Courier services
    • Postal services will be allowed to operate.

8. Following commercial and private establishments have been allowed in the Red Zones.

• Print and electronic media
• IT and IT-enabled services
• Data and call centres
• Cold storage
• Warehousing services
• Private security and facility management services
• Services provided by self-employed persons, except for barbers

9. Activities and services such as plying of cycle rickshaws and auto-rickshaws; running of taxis and cab aggregators; intra-district and inter-district plying of buses; and, barbershops, spas and salons - are NOT allowed in areas even in red zones, outside the containment areas.

10. Malls, markets, market complexes and shops in urban areas for non-essential goods are NOT allowed shall remain closed.

What is allowed in Orange Zones

In addition to activities permitted in Red Zone...

• Taxis and cab aggregators will be permitted with 1 driver and 1 passenger only.
• Inter-district movement of individuals and vehicles will be allowed for permitted activities only.
• Four wheeler vehicles will have a maximum of two passengers besides the driver and pillion riding will be allowed on two-wheelers.

What is allowed in Green Zones

In the Green Zones, most of the activities are permitted except the limited number of activities which are prohibited throughout the country, irrespective of the Zone. However, buses can operate with up to 50% seating capacity and bus depots can operate with up to 50% capacity.

Please note: These guidelines are issued by the central government. The state government will take decisions based on the assessment of the situation. The primary objective will be to keep the spread of COVID-19 in check and respective governments may allow only select activities from out of the permitted activities, with such restrictions as felt necessary.