NewGate Press Network

Unlike on the two previous occasions when ‘lockdowns’ were announced with proper announcements and fanfare, news about Lockdown 3.0 came-in rather quietly, via a press release on the internet.

It is clear. Life in the third phase of country wide lockdown, commencing from 4 May, will be different.

And for the first time, a concept of night curfew for ordinary citizens (except involved in essential services) will be implemented with impunity between 7 pm to 7 am.

Main takeaways from new MHA guidelines are:

  • Face masks are compulsory.
  • Aarogya Setu app is a must.
  • Liquor shops are back in operations  – but only in Green and Orange zones.
  • Private offices can operate with up to 33% strength, with the rest on Work-From-Home.
  • Those senior citizens above 65 years with co-morbidity, pregnant women and children below 10 will advised to stay back home unless during an emergency situation.
  • Any fake call for emergency or asking for bogus relief will attract one year jail term.
  • No travel allowed by air, rail or metro trains. However it will be allowed when MHA gives permission.
  • Inter-state movement by road will remain banned.
  • Schools, colleges, hotels, restaurants; cinemas, malls, shopping centres, gyms and sports complexes will also stay shut.
  • Gatherings allowed for social, political, cultural and religious purposes.
  • In red zones, cars with two persons allowed.
  • On two-wheelers – only rider will be allowed. No pillion riding in Red Zone.
  • Single shops can open in urban areas, whether for essential or non-essential goods. e-Commerce will be allowed for essential goods.
  • Banks, public services such as power supply systems, water, sanitation, waste management, telecommunications and internet will remain open.
  • Courier and postal services will be allowed to operate.
  • Media, IT and IT-enabled services, data and call centres, cold storage and warehousing services, private security, plumbers and electricians will be allowed.
  • Barber shops/salons strictly prohibited.
  • In the orange zones, taxis and cab aggregators will be allowed to operate with one passenger.
  • In Orange Zones – cars can have two passengers besides the driver and pillion riding will be allowed on two-wheelers.
  • In the Green Zones, all activities will reopen except those banned across the country. But in these areas, buses can operate only with half the seating capacity.