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 thereby can remain operational during the lockdown period. This was announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs which issued a second Addendum to the lockdown guidelines. As per the order, agencies engaged in the procurement of agricultural products, mandis operated by the APMCs or notified by the state government, farming operations and manufacturing units of fertilizers, pesticides, and seeds have been exempted from the lockdown. Also, inter-state and intra-state movement of harvesting has been allowed by the MHA.  

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

Read the second Addendum here:

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

Additions to lockdown guidelines

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

A day later, the MHA issued an Addendum specifying more categories of essential services exempted during the period of the 21-day lockdown. This includes the IT vendor for banking operations, coal and mineral production, manufacturing units of packaging material for food items, medical devices, the 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, the Reserve Bank of India, RBI regulated financial markets and entities such as NCPI, CCI, etc. will function with bare minimum staff. Additionally, the personnel required to operate and maintain zoo, nursery, wildlife, and related activities have been exempted from the 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 The Woes Of Migrants

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