India: Know all shops, services which will remain functional during 21 days lockdown

New Delhi, March 24, 2020: “In the view of the current situation, the nationwide complete lockdown will be in place for 21 days – 3 weeks 21 years. Social distancing is the only option to stay safe and to stop #Coronavirus – stay at a distance from each other and stay inside your houses. If we are not able to manage the upcoming 21 days (of nationwide complete lockdown), we will be pushed back 21 years”, Prime Minister Narendra announced in his address to the nation.

He further said that lockdown of 21 days is a long time, but this is important for you and your family’s safety. You have to remember that a Coronavirus infected person initially appears to be normal and doesn’t show symptoms. So maintain precautions and stay at home.

“I believe that every Indian will not only successfully tackle this challenge but also emerge victorious in this time of crisis. While staying at home, remember and pray for people who are working while putting their lives at risk. Remember the doctors, nurses, paramedics, pathologists who are working day and night to save lives, hospital administration, ambulance drivers, ward boys, serving others in these tough times.

Pray for people who are working to sanitise your society & neigbourhoods, roads and public places to ensure complete eradication of the virus. You must also think about the media persons who are working 24 hours, by staying on roads & going to hospitals, to give you correct information.

Think about the police personnel who are on their duty, day and night – without thinking about their own family, to protect you and your family. They also face the anger of some people sometimes.”

He asked people to remain in their homes or wherever they are as the lockdown period will begin from March 24 midnight and continue for 21 days.

Soon after the lockdown announcement, people thronged  shops to purchase vegetables and fruits, groceries despite restrictions under section 144 of CrPC in city to contain the spread of #CoronavirusPandemic.

PM Modi tweeted, “By converging around shops, you are risking the spread of COVID-19. No panic buying please. Please stay indoors. I repeat- Centre and State Governments will ensure all essentials are available.

My fellow citizens, THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO NEED TO PANIC. Essential commodities, medicines etc. would be available. Centre and various state governments will work in close coordination to ensure this. Together, we will fight COVID-19 and create a healthier India. Jai Hind!”

Guidelines on the measures to be taken by Ministries! Departments of Government of India, State/Union Territory Governments and State/ Union Territory Authorities for containment of COVID-19 Epidemic in the Country.

1. Offices of the Government of India, its Autonomous/ Subordinate Offices and Public Corporations shall remain closed. Exceptions: Defence, central armed police forces, treasury, public utilities (including petroleum, CNG, LPG, PNG), disaster management, power generation and transmission units, post offices, National Informatics Centre, Early Warning Agencies
2. Offices of the State/ Union Territory Governments, their Autonomous Bodies, Corporations, etc. shall remain closed. Exceptions: a. Police, home guards, civil defence, fire and emergency services, disaster management. and prisons. b. District administration and Treasury c. Electricity, water, sanitation d. Municipal bodies—Only staff required for essential services like sanitation, personnel related to water supply etc

The above offices (St. No 1 & 2) should work with minimum number of employees. All other offices may continue to work-from-borne only.

3. Hospitals and all related medical establishments, including their manufacturing and distribution units, both in public and private sector, such as dispensaries, chemist and medical equipment shops, laboratories, clinics, nursing homes, ambulance etc. will continue to remain functional. The transportation for all medical personnel, nurses, para-medical staff, other hospital support services be permitted.
4. Commercial and private establishments shall be closed down. Exceptions: a. Shops, including ration shops (under PDS), dealing with food, groceries, fruits and vegetables, dairy and milk booths, meat and fish, animal fodder. However, district authorities may encourage and facilitate home delivery to minimize the movement of individuals outside their homes.
5. Banks, insurance offices, and ATMs.
6. Print and electronic media d. Telecommunications, intemet services, broadcasting and cable services.
7. IT and IT enabled Services only (for essential services) and as far as possible to work from home.
8. Delivery of all essential goods including food, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment through E-commerce.
9. Petrol pumps, LPG, Petroleum and gas retail and storage outlets.
10. Power generation, transmission and distribution units and services.
11. Capital and debt market services as notified by the Securities and Exchange Board of India
12. Cold storage and warehousing services.
13. Private security services

All other establishments may work-from-home only.

5. Industrial Establishments will remain closed. Exceptions: a. Manufacturing units of essential commodities. b. Production units, which require continuous process, after obtaining required permission from the State Govemment
6. All transport services — air, rail, roadways — will remain suspended. Exceptions: a. Transportation for essential goods only. b. Fire, law and order and emergency services.
7. Hospitality Services to remain suspended Exceptions: a. Hotels, homestays, lodges and motels, which are accommodating tourists and persons stranded due to lockdown, medical and emergency staff, air and sea crew. b. Establishments used/ earmarked for quarantine facilities.
8. All educational, training, research, coaching institutions etc. shall remain closed.
9. All places of worship shall be closed for public. No religious congregations will be permitted, without any exception.

   10. A11 social/ political/ sports/ entertainment/ academic/ cultural/ religious functions / gatherings shall be barred.

11. In case of funerals, congregation of not more than twenty persons will be permitted.
12. All persons who have arrived into India after 15.02.2020, and all such persons who have been directed by health care personnel to remain under strict home/ institutional quarantine for a period as decided by local Health Authorities, failing which they will be liable to legal action under Sec. 188 of the IPC.

13.Wherever exceptions to above containment measures have been allowed, the organisations/employers must ensure necessary precautions against COVID-19.