Without any distinction of essential or non essential commodities transportation of goods will be permitted
The safety instructions laid down by the MHA need to strictly followed
The central government has come out with a list of guidelines that are permitted after April 20, 2020 in certain areas. The Home Ministry on Wednesday issued guidelines in order to ease the hardship being faced by certain segments of the country in the wake of coronavirus outbreak. The central government has only allowed the agricultural activities, health services and industries operating in rural areas to function while the air, rail and inter-state travel remains suspended. The guidelines have been issues a day after the Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended the coronavirus lockdown till May 3.
This step by the Centre has been taken in order to curb the problems being faced by the farmers and daily wage earners. The motto is also to address and maintain the effective supply chain.
The Home Ministry issued an order delineating a list of activities that will be permitted after April 20, 2020 and those which are prohibited.
The notification mentions, “The permitted activities from April 20, 2020 are aimed at ensuring that agricultural and related activities remain fully functional; the rural economy functions with maximum efficiency; employment opportunities are created for daily wage earners and other members of the labour force; select industrial activities are allowed to resume their operations, with adequate safeguards and mandatory standard operating protocols (SOPs); and the digital economy.”
Here is the list of economic activities allowed after April 20, 2020:
1) Farming Operation:
Farming operations by farmers and farm workers on the field will be permitted under the new guidelines. All agriculture and horticulture activities will remain functional such as – farming operations by farmers & farm workers in field, including procurement of agricultural products, agriculture marketing through notified Mandis and direct and decentralized marketing, manufacture, distribution and retail of fertilizers, pesticides and seeds; activities of marine and inland fisheries; animal husbandry activities, including the supply chain of milk, milk products, poultry and live-stock farming; and tea, coffee and rubber plantations are allowed to be functional.
2) E-commerce operations
Operations of IT and IT enabled services, data and call centres for Government activities, and online teaching and distance learning are all permitted activities under the guidelines issued by MHA.
3) Construction of Road:
Construction of roads and for building projects in rural areas will be permitted.
4) Transportation of goods:
Transportation of goods will be permitted without any distinction of essential or non-essential.
5) Health Services
Health services and the social sector will remain functional; public utilities are permitted to function without any hindrance. The supply chain of essential goods to operate without any hindrance. The offices of Central and State Governments and local bodies to remain functional with required strength.
6) Industries operating in rural areas:
In the wake of COVID-19 lockdown the rural economy has been going through a tough phase. To provide a boost to the rural economy, industries operating in rural areas, including food-processing industries; construction of roads, irrigation projects, buildings and industrial projects in rural areas; works under MNREGA, with priority to irrigation and water conservation works; and operation of rural Common Service Centres (CSCs) have all been allowed. This step has been taken to create job opportunities for rural labor, and also for those who returned to their villages after lockdown.
7) Manufacturing and other industrial establishments
Manufacturing and other industrial establishments with access control have been permitted in SEZs, EoUs, industrial estates and industrial townships. But it is mandatory for these establishments to implement the norms for social distancing. Manufacture of IT hardware and of essential goods and packaging are also allowed.
Coal, mineral and oil production are also permitted activities during the extended lockdown period. Components of the financial sector- RBI, banks, ATMs, capital and debt markets as notified by SEBI and insurance companies to remain functional.
Here is a list of guidelines for functional industries under lockdown
The guidelines released by the MHA clearly defines the guidelines for an employers. It is mandatory for an employer to abide by stringent safety instructions. Some of the guidelines are these:
1) Wearing a face mask at work is compulsory
2) Employers need to download Arogya Setu app and promote others to use it
3) No large meetings will be permitted. No shift overlaps is allowed under the new guidelines. A gap of 1 hour needs to be maintained in between the shifts.
4) Temperature screening and sanitizers at workplace are a must for employers
5) Workers will have to stay within the company’s premises or in “adjacent buildings”.
6) Transportation will have to be arranged by employers