Glimmer of hope for villages, workers from today

Restrictions in force during the current lockdown will be eased in areas barring the containment zones demarcated by the States even while people will have to abide by the safety measures such as social distancing and mandatory use of masks.

This follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to the nation on April 14 when he announced extension of the lockdown till May 3 and promised relaxations for resumption of some activities in non-hotspot areas.

Soon after, the Home Ministry had issued fresh guidelines mentioning the select additional activities that will be allowed from April 20.

The government also issued new guidelines on Sunday while issuing Standard Operating Protocol on the movement of migrant workers to their workplaces within the confines of a State. No inter-State movement of migrant labourers would be allowed, the government said.

Addressing the media at the daily routine briefing. Health Ministry Joint Secretary Lav Agarwal said some activities are being permitted from midnight so that agriculture and rural economy can be functional and daily wage earners could get employment opportunities. It will also enable health services to function along with maintaining the upply chain of essential goods. “Some activities have been permitted. Effort on to restore normalcy gradually, ensuring ‘Jaan bhi hai Jahan bhi Hai’ (both life and livelihood),” he said.

However, he said passenger traffic including trains, buses, air services, taxis and cab aggregators, autorickshaws, educational institutions, industrial / commercial activities (unless exempted specifically). cinema halls, malls, social and religious gatherings, religious places of worship will continue to be prohibited all over the country till May 3.