Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced 21 days of lockdown in the entire country to prevent the deadly coronavirus from spreading across the nation. “My fellow citizens, There is absolutely no need to panic. Essential commodities, medicines, etc. would be available. Centre and various state governments will work in close coordination to ensure this. Together, we will fight COVID-19 and create a healthier India. Jai Hind!,” Prime minister said during his announcement which was made sharply on 8 PM of 24th April.

Meanwhile the list of things that will be closed and exceptions during this lockdown period were also released by the government.

1.Government offices except Defence, central armed police forces, treasury, public utilities (including petroleum, CNG, LPG, PNG), disaster management, power generation and transmission units, post offices, national informatics centre, Early Warning agencies

2. Offices of state/union governments, their Autonomous Bodies Corporations etc will be closed except Police, home guards, civil defence, fire and emergency services, disaster management and prisons. District administration and Treasury will be working as same as Electricity, water, sanitation and Municipal bodies.

3. Hospitals and all related establishments, including their manufacturing and distribution units such as dispensaries, chemist and medical equipment shops, laboratories, clinics, nursing homes, ambulance will continue to function. The transportation for all the medical services and employees will be permitted. This applies for both public and private sector.

4. Commercial and private establishments will be closed except Shops including ration shops, dealing with food, groceries, fruits and vegetables, dairy and milk booths, meat and fish animal fodder. To avoid individuals roaming outside to get these, district administration may facilitate home delivery. Banks, insurance officers, ATMs will be working. Print and electronic media will continue to function. Tele communications, Internet services, broadcasting, cable services will also work as usual. Delivery of food, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment through E-commerce will be available. Petrol pumps, LPG, Petroleum and gas retail and storage outlets will be available. Power generation, transmission and distribution unit and services will function as usual. Capital and debt market services as notified by the securities and Exchange board of India will be active. Cold storage and warehousing services, Private security services will also be functional.

5. Industrial Establishments except Manufacturing units of essential commodities and Production units will work after obtaining required permission from the state government.

6. All transport services excluding the Transportation for essential goods will remain suspended. Transportation of Fire, law and order and emergency services will function.

7. Hospitality services except for the Hotels which are accommodating tourists and persons who are stranded due to lockdown, medical and emergency staff, air and sea crew should remain closed.

8. All educational, training, research, coaching institutions should be closed.

9. All places of worship shall be closed for public. No religious congregations will be permitted.

10. All kind of social, political, sports, entertainment, academic, cultural, religious gatherings shall be barred.

11. In case of funerals, congregation of not more than 20 persons will be permitted.

12. All persons who have arrived into India after 15th of february 2020 and all such persons who have been directed by health care personnel to remain under strict home/ institutional quarantine for a period as decided by local Health authorities , failing which they will be liable to legal action under Sec. 188 of the IPC.

13. Wherever exceptions to above containment measures have been allowed, the organisations/employers must ensure necessary precautions against COVID 19.

14. In order to implement these containment measures, the district Magistrate will deploy Executive Magistrates as Incident commanders in the respective local jurisdictions. The incident Commander will be responsible for the overall implementation of these measures in their respective jurisdictions. All other line department officials in the specified area will work under the directions of such incident commander . The incident Commander will issue passed for enabling essential movements as explained.

15. All enforcing authorities to note that these strict restrictions fundamentally relate to movement of people, but not to that of essential goods.

16. The incident commanders will in particular ensure that all efforts for mobilisation of resources, workers and material for augmentation and expansion of hospital infrastructure shall continue without any hindrance.

17. Any person violating these containment measures will be liable to be proceeded against as per the provisions of Sections 51 to 60 of the Disaster Management Act. 2005., besides legal action under Sec. 188 of the IPC.

18. The above containment measures will remain in force, in all parts of the country for a period of 21 days with effect from 25. 03. 2020.

Let us cooperate with the government by staying home in coming days to prevent the virus from spreading.