Lockdown 4.0

To contain the spread of novel coronavirus, the government of India on Sunday (17th May) has extended the nationwide lockdown until May 31. The fourth phase of lockdown will commence from today with a considerable number of relaxations. The new guidelines released by the Ministry of Home Affairs are based on suggestions from states that PM Narendra Modi had sought during his fifth discussion with chief ministers on the pandemic on May 11. Let us have a look at the lockdown 4.0 guidelines in detail.

• Activities that remain prohibited across the country are metro, air and rail services except those allowed with special permits. Shopping malls, cinema halls, schools, colleges, hotels, restaurants will continue to remain prohibited. All social / political / cultural / religious and other gatherings will continue to remain suspended throughout the nation.

  

• Delivery of essential and non-essential items would be allowed through online shopping platforms. Restaurants can function but only for take-away. Inter-state movement of passenger vehicles can function only with mutual consent of states. Evacuation of foreign nationals from India, return of stranded Indian nationals from abroad, sign-on and sign-off of Indian seafarers and intra-State and inter-State movement of stranded persons by bus and train will continue to be allowed. Barbershops and salons can open their services. Sports complexes and stadiums can open however spectators will not be allowed.

  

• Local shops and markets can open with staggered timings. It is compulsory for the shop owners to ensure six feet distance among customers and not allow more than 5 customers at a time inside the shop.

  

• States and Union Territories have been given the powers for delineation of Red, Green and Orange Zones as per the COVID-19 situation. Along with the red, orange and green zone, containment and buffer Zones will be distinguished by district authorities. In the containment zones no movement of people would be allowed except for medical emergencies and for maintaining supply of essential goods and services. Buffer zones are areas around each containment zone where new cases are more likely to appear. In the buffer zones more caution needs to be exercised.

  

• The night curfew between 7 PM and 7 AM will continue in all zones.

• Weddings cannot have more than 50 guests and funerals cannot have more than 20 people.

  

• Vulnerable persons i.e. people above 65 years of age, people suffering from chronic or common diseases, pregnant women and children below the age of 10 years shall stay at home except for meeting essential requirements and for health purposes.

The nationwide lockdown was first imposed for 21 days starting March 25 and then extended on April 15 and later on May 4 to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus. The tidal number of coronavirus cases in India has surpassed China’s tally with 96,248 cases and death toll soared to 3,040. If you want to know more about the COVID-19 virus outbreak in Indian check live COVID-19 updates.

Stay home, stay safe! Stay tuned to the Trainman blog to know the latest news on railways and COVID-19 virus. Trainman advises all the people across the nation to maintain social distancing and abide by the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs. Download the Trainman App to check PNR Status of the booked ticket, Running Status of Covid special trains, Train between stations and many such exciting features.