COVID-19: MHA releases new lockdown guidelines; farming & related activities to operate

In a significant development on Friday, farming and its related activities were designated as essential goods and services and reby can remain operational during lockdown period. This was anunced by Ministry of Home Affairs which issued a second Addendum to lockdown guidelines. As per order, ncies engd in procurement of agricultural products, mandis operated by APMCs or tified by state government, farming operations and manufacturing units of fertilizers, pesticides, and seeds have been exempted from lockdown. Also, inter-state and intra-state movement of harvesting has been allowed by MHA.  

Read: MHA Issues Fresh Lockdown Guidelines, Inter-state Movement Of Goods And Ors Exempted

Read second Addendum here:

Read: BIG: MHA Issues SOP For Maintaining Supply Of Essential Goods Amid Nationwide Lockdown

Additions to lockdown guidelines

On Tuesday, MHA issued an order detailing guidelines for nationwide lockdown. As per order, all offices of government barring for those providing essential services will remain shut. y will function with a minimum number of employees. Hospitals and all medical establishments will be open and transport of people working in this field will be permitted. All commercial establishments and private organizations will be closed. exemptions include print and electronic media, shops selling essential items, e-delivery of food, medical equipment, banks, petrol pumps, etc. suspension of transport and hospitality services shall continue. 

A day later, MHA issued an Addendum specifying more categories of essential services exempted during period of 21-day lockdown. This includes IT vendor for banking operations, coal and mineral production, manufacturing units of packaging material for food items, medical devices, inter-state movement of goods for imports and exports and cross land border movement of essential items such as LPG, medical supplies and food products.

Moreover, Reserve Bank of India, RBI regulated financial markets and entities such as NCPI, CCI, etc. will function with bare minimum staff. Additionally, personnel required to operate and maintain zoo, nursery, wildlife, and related activities have been exempted from lockdown regulations. It was clarified that Railways, Airports, and Seaports shall be operational for cargo movement, relief, and evacuation. 

Read: COVID-19: MHA Issues Advisory Directing Relief Measures To Address Woes Of Migrants

Read: MHA Steps Up As 21-day Coronavirus Lockdown Begins; Directs States To Set Up Control Rooms