Lockdown 3.0- How the Current Scenario Looks Like in India

The third leg of extended lockdown will now continue till May 17 but has come with some relaxations and restrictions. The Ministry of Home Affairs mentioned that state governments can reduce the number of activities permitted by the Centre in Red Zone, and Orange Zones considering the prevalent situations in those areas.

COVID-19 Statistics

Total COVID-19 cases in India are nearing 43,000-mark even as the COVID-19 lockdown 3.0 has started from 4th May. As per the details shared by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, in India, so far (5th May) there are 46,433 confirmed cases. As many as 12,727 COVID-19 positive have been cured or discharged. In the last 24 hours, 1074 people have been cured. This is the highest number in terms of cured patients noted till date. Our recovery rate is now 27.52%. Presently, 1568 patients have died and one has been migrated. In last 24 hours Maharashtra has recorded 678 new coronavirus cases. Total COVID 19 cases in Maharashtra are near about 12, 9874.27 COVID-19 related deaths has been reported taking the overall toll to 548 in 24 hours. Delhi has recorded highest single-day spike with 427 new COVID cases, taking the tally to 4,549, as per PTI.

Worldwide, the virus infected over 3.58 million people and killed close to 2.51 lakh. The worst-affected countries are US, Spain, Italy, UK, France, and Germany.

Special trains may function

Government has decided to allow few trains to function in special cases where migrant labourers can go back to their homes. Bihar CM Nitish Kumar confirmed that no fare from students or migrant labourers is being charged from the people coming to Bihar. Also, central government decided that 85% fare will be borne by Railways while 15% by state governments.  

WHAT’S ALLOWED, WHAT’S NOT FROM MAY 4:

• Public activities will remain prohibited across the country irrespective of the zone divisions. 
• Air, rail and travel by Metro will remain banned like the first two phases of the lockdown. Inter-state movement on roads will also remain closed. Air, rail and road travel will be allowed only for special purposes and with permission from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• Schools, colleges, training and coaching institutions and other educational, will continue to remain prohibited from functioning, across the country. 
• Hospitality services like hotels and restaurants will also not be allowed to reopen across the country.
• Places that see large-scale public gatherings like cinema halls, malls, gymnasiums, sports complexes etc will continue to remain shut. The government has also banned all social, political, cultural and other kinds of gatherings. Religious gatherings and worshiping in public places have also been not allowed.
• However, movement of individuals for non-essential activities in all zones, barring containment areas, is allowed but strictly between 7 am and 7 pm.

• Barber shops, spas and salons will be allowed to reopen from today in the Green Zones and Orange Zones across the country.
• Sale of non-essential items by e-commerce companies such as Amazon and Flipkart has been allowed in the Green and Orange Zones in the country. These relaxations do not apply for the Red Zones.
• With a set of guidelines, liquor shops have been allowed to reopen from today in all Red, Orange and Green Zones. Liquor shops that are not located inside markets and malls are the only ones that will be allowed to reopen. These are standalone liquor shops. These shops have also been asked to follow certain guidelines of social distancing to prevent spread of coronavirus.
• The government has prohibited people above the age of 65 years, those with underlying health conditions or comorbidities, pregnant women, and children below 10 years from venturing out. Only exception for these people to go out is for essential and health purposes.
• Outdoor patient departments at hospitals and clinics in all three zones will be reopened from Monday but with strict social distancing norms and precautions. These will continue to remain prohibited in containment zones.
• All goods/cargo traffic will be permitted and no state or UT shall stop the movement of cargo for cross land-border trade under treaties with neighbouring countries.
• Plying of cycle rickshaws and auto-rickshaws, taxis and cab-aggregators; intra-district and inter-district buses; barber shops, spas and saloons and some additional activities are prohibited in Red Zones (outside the containment areas).
• Movement of individuals and vehicles for permitted activities with a maximum of 2 persons (besides the driver) in four-wheelers, no pillion rider on two-wheelers, is allowed in the Red Zone with restrictions
• On domestic helps in red zones, resident welfare associations will have to take a call on allowing in outsiders. Self employed people like electricians, plumbers, domestic helps such as maids, drivers and cleaners have been allowed to go to work, however, their commute will be a hurdle. Industrial establishments in urban areas, like Special Economic Zones (SEZs), Export Oriented Units (EOUs), industrial estates and industrial townships with access control have been permitted from Monday in all zones, except containment areas.
• Private offices can function in red zones with up to 33 per cent strength with the remaining staff working from home.
• In Orange zones, and taxi and cab aggregators (driver with 2 passengers only) have been allowed.
• Inter-district movement of people and vehicles for permitted activities, 4 wheelers with 2 passengers besides driver, pillion riding on 2 wheelers are allowed.
• All activities are permitted except the ones prohibited throughout the country, irrespective of the zone, in Green zones.
• Buses can operate with upto 50 per cent seating capacity and depots too at 50 per cent

Over to you

The government even after given relaxations would recommend people to keep practicing social distancing and to avoid going out of house, if not required.