As India enters the fourth phase of the lockdown form today, there are a new set of guidelines released by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Sunday, May 17. The new set of guidelines have come in with more relaxations as compared to the previous versions of the lockdowns.
As per the MHA guidelines, the states have been given the authority to mark zones with colour codes as per the statistics of the COVID positive cases. However, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has shared a few parameters for the states to colour code zones.
Dos and Don’ts during the lockdown 4.0
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In the newly released guidelines by the MHA, the app-based cab services have been allowed to resume functions with a restriction to carry no more than two passengers.
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The reopening of all shops, markets and commercial establishments except those in malls are allowed in the fourth phase of the lockdown.
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Private offices have also been allowed to resume functions. However, for those offices in the red zones can only operate with 33 percent capacity.
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The metro rail services, schools, colleges, hotels, restaurants will remain shut in the fourth lockdown as well.
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Though markets have been allowed to reopen, cinema halls, shopping malls, gymnasiums, swimming pools will remain shut. However, sports complexes and stadiums have been permitted to resume operations but without spectators.
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The Centre has allowed the inter-state movement of passenger vehicles and buses but only with mutual consent of the concerned states and union territories. Hence, the final decision on resumption of inter-state travel rests with the States and UTs.
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The zones – red, green, orange – containment zones and buffer zones will be decided by the states on the basis of the parametres shared by the ministry of health.
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In containment zones, only essential activities shall be allowed.
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All the other activities will be permitted in green, orange and red zones except those specifically prohibited.
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The government has also given the nod to e-commerce activities for delivering both non-essential and essential goods even in red zones.
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Moreover, the clause mandating the private company employees to download AarogyaSetu app has also been slashed.
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However, large gatherings including religious, cultural, sports, political, will not be permitted.
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Also, people over 65 years of age, people with co-morbidity, pregnant women and children below 10 years of age are asked to stay home and not to come out except for essential and health purposes.
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Wearing masks is mandatory in all public places.
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Spitting in public and workplaces will be punishable with fine as per the local authorities, states or UTs.
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No more than 50 people allowed to attend a marriage function.
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Also, a maximum of 20 people can attend the funerals and last rites.
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The government has also strictly banned the consumption of liquor, gutka, pan masala, tobacco in public places.
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Shops to ensure not more than 5 people to be allowed at a time inside the shop.
Furthermore, all the activities that were permitted during the third phase of lockdown will continue to be allowed in the fourth phase also. However, this time, states have been given more freedom to add restrictions in any area.