TNW, New Delhi, 17 May: Centre has extended the Lock down for two more weeks till May 31, though with a number of relaxations. PM Narendra Modi had hinted on May 12, during his address to the nation that lock down 4.0 will be ‘different from previous one with new set of rules’. The Home ministry guidelines issued on Sunday attested to the PM’s words, as all type of shops, markets except shopping malls, businesses, offices etc have been allowed to open from Monday. However, the relaxation will not be applicable in containment zones where only essential services will be permitted.
On the 12th May, Chief Ministers of West Bengal, Bihar, Utter Pardesh and few other states, during their meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi had requested to extend the lock down. However, Andhra Pardesh CM, Jagmohan Reddy had pitched for relaxation so that MSME can start functioning. Similarly, New Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had also requested to open up the economy, barring those in containment zones.
In the above mentioned meeting with PM, Chief Ministers had asked for more say in the decisions of relaxing or imposing lock down. Centre appears to conceded to their demands as now the states have the authority to decide Red, Orange and Green zones. In Red and Orange zones, sub category of containment and buffer zones will be decided by local authorities, considering the number of COVID-19 positive cases. However, the states are bound to comply with home ministry guidelines and their decisions must not dilute any provision stipulated by it.
Activities that are permitted in lock down 4.0 : Inter-state and Intra-state passenger vehicles are allowed to ply. All shops, market except shopping malls, offices, industries and other businesses which were previously got the permission, will be functional from Monday on the condition of complying with social distancing and other safety norms.
Activities that are not allowed in lock down 4.0 : Metro and Trains School, College, Domestic and International Air Travel for passengers except for medical emergencies, Hotels, Bars, Restaurant, Theater, Shopping Malls, Gyms, Cinema, all religious and Social/political gatherings etc.
