Lock down 4 guide lines- Indian Government extends lock down till 31st May 2020

Government of India on sunday ( 17th May, 2020 ) has extended the nationwide lock down till 31st May, 2020 to curb the spread of Corona Virus Disease ( Covid 19 ) in India. .  This is called as Lock Down 4.0.  

The Central Government has released the guidelines for the fourth phase of Lock down in India on sunday.  The lock down 4.0 gives more relaxations to states compared to previous lock downs.  Now the delineation of red, green and orange zones will decided by the respective state governments after taking into considerations the parameters shared by Ministry of Health and family welfare.  The Home Ministry has said that the total number of Corona positive cases in India is 96,169 which includes 56,316 active cases.  38,323 are discharged and death toll is 3029 deaths.  Nearly 120 people died in last 24 hours.

Earlier Prime Minister of India, Sri Narendra Modi said that the lock down 4.0 will be very much different from previous lock downs with new set of rules and regulations.   Some of the guidelines for Lock Down 4.0 are listed below.

• For the states, the big change was that they would be allowed to demarcate the red, green and orange zones, which define the concentration of the cases and how much economic activity could take place in the area.  This was the main  demand of states during last week's meeting between Chief Ministers and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

• The curfew at night is retained -- from 7 pm to 7 am, but movement of people will be allowed during the daytime. The government, however, said those above the age of 65 and children below 10, persons with chronic illnesses and pregnant women should not go out of doors..

• Buses and other public transport system will be allowed to run --both intra and inter-state, but subject to the approval of the states. 

• Within the Red and Orange Zones, Containment Zones and Buffer Zones will be demarcated by the district authorities, after taking into consideration the guidelines of the health ministry, the government said.

• The practice of work from home shall be followed to the extent possible.  Staggering of work hours should be adopted at workplaces. There should be provision for thermal scanning, hand wash and sanitizers and common areas and rules of social distancing should be maintained in offices.

• The government has not allowed any re-opening of areas which draw a large number of people like  shopping malls and multiplexes, gymnasiums, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, bars and auditoriums, assembly halls, hotels, restaurants and other hospitality services.  

• Markets and all kind of shops can reopen, but the final decision belongs to the states. If open, these should maintain staggered timing to ensure social distancing. No economic activity, however, will be allowed within the containment zones, which have a high incidence of coronavirus cases.

• Sports complexes and stadiums can open, but spectators will not be allowed. 

• Anything that would involve large gathering also remains banned. All places of worship shall also be closed for public and religious congregations are strictly prohibited.