The Centre will allow certain relaxations from Monday in the notified services in areas without hotspots.
In the wake of lockdown extension till May 3, a series of directives have been put in place to ensure strict compliance of lockdown.
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The Centre, however, keeping in mind the current financial situation of low-income earners and farmers, has said that it will be permitted a few more essential services to function in areas that are not COVID-19 containment zones.
“To mitigate the hardship to the public, select additional activities will be allowed from tomorrow,” informed government sources.
These limited exemptions will be operationalized by states, union territories, district administration based on strict compliance to the existing guidelines,” the sources added.
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“However, before allowing the select activities, states, union territories, the district administration would ensure that all preparatory arrangements concerning standard operating procedures for social distancing in offices, workplaces, etc are in place,” the sources added.
All agricultural and horticultural activities including farming operations by farmers and farmworkers in the field, agencies engaged in procurement of agriculture products, including MSP operations, Mandis’ operated by the Agriculture Produce Market Committee, Shops of agriculture machinery will remain fully functional during this time.
The centre will also allow the movement of all trucks and other goods carrier vehicles with two drivers and one helper subject to the driver carrying a valid driving license including an empty truck to be allowed to ply after the delivery of goods or for pick up of goods.
“Moreover, all finance-related institutions and health-related services will remain fully functional,” sources added.
Services provided by self-employed persons like electrician, IT repairs, plumbers, motor mechanics and carpenters will also be allowed to operate from Monday in all such areas which are not demarcated as Containment Zones.
The guidelines also stated that work at construction projects where workers are available on site and no workers are required to be brought in from outside to begin in such municipalities or municipal corporations.