Following the extension of the nationwide lockdown, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India has issued revised consolidated guidelines that will continue to remain in force until May 3, 2020. Select additional activities would be functional, starting April 20, 2020.

Here’s what remains functional:

  • All health services including hospitals; clinics; telemedicine; chemist; pharmacies; veterinary hospitals; construction of medical/health infrastructure; the movement of medical personnel, scientists, nurses, paramedics, lab technicians, midwives and other hospital support facilities.
  • Agricultural and horticultural divisions like farming operations; agencies engaged in procurement of agricultural products and Mandis(local markets) operated by Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) among others. Certain segments of fisheries, animal husbandry and plantations will also be open.
  • Reserve Bank of India and its related financial markets and entities; bank branches and ATMs; Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI); Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority and Insurance companies.
  • Establishments belonging to the social sector including homes for children, disabled, senior citizens; aftercare homes for the juvenile; disbursement of social security pension and operations of Anganwadi (rural child care centre).
  • Educational and training schools shall remain closed but are expected to maintain the academic schedule through online teaching.
  • Mahatma Gandhi Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) employment is allowed with strict implementation of social distancing.
  • Public utilities like the functioning of oil and gas sector; generation, transmission and distribution of power; postal services; water supply, sanitation and waste management; telecommunication and internet services.
  • Movement, loading and unloading of goods and cargo.
  • Supply of essential goods — all facilities in the supply chain involved in manufacturing, wholesale and retail of goods; shops and carts including ration centres dealing with the food; groceries; hygiene items, poultry without any restriction on the timing of opening and closure.
  • Print and electronic media; IT and IT-enabled services; e-commerce companies; courier.
  • Hotels, homestays, lodges and motels accommodating stranded tourists.

The revised guidelines do not apply in containment zones, as demarcated by States/ UTs/ District administrations. If any new area is included in the category of a containment zone, the activities allowed in that area until the time of its categorisation as a containment zone would be suspended, except for those activities that are specifically permitted under the guidelines of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW).

An in-depth report on the revised guidelines can be viewed here.