The Home Ministry has issued a set of guidelines on April 15, as the government has extended the country-wide lockdown till May 3. All the industries operating outside the city limits, in the rural areas, will be allowed to resume from April 20, provided they follow the social distancing norms and COVID-19 guidelines. Similarly, manufacturing and other industrial activities in the Special Economic Zones (SEZs), townships and industrial estates can reopen. Wearing masks in public places is going to be mandatory and spitting will be a punishable offence according to Home Ministry.
Agriculture, horticulture, farming, ‘mandis’, plantation activities can also resume from April 20 as well. However educational institutions, international and domestic air travel, public transport, cinema halls, malls and other social gatherings will remain shut till May 3. Special regulations and provisions are also made for the identified ‘hotspots’ in the country and restrictions have been imposed.
