India Lockdown Ready Reckoner: What’s Open And What’s Not
Goods and services that will continue to be available under the lockdown, the prohibitions and the enforcement.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an all-India 21-day lockdown in an effort to institutionalise social distancing and help prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.
In his address to the nation on Tuesday night, Modi acknowledged the economic cost of such a shut down but said it was necessary. “Jaan hai to jahaan hai,” he said to underscore that saving lives is the priority at this time. India has reported more than 500 confirmed Covid-19 patients and 10 deaths as on March 24.
“Today’s decision draws a lakshman-rekha at your doorstep, if you cross it you may risk the virus entering your home,” Modi.
Almost all Indian states have in the past week announced partial or full lockdowns— and the national order reiterates that as well as sets down uniform rules for services that can continue to function.
All essential services will continue to function, though the challenge will be in how those that staff them can get to work and back. Also, residents’ access to essential goods and services will also have be provided for. In several cities, citizens have complained that with public transport shut down they weren’t able to reach hospitals for medical treatment, or access to stores, banks, etc. Closer coordination of local, state and central authorities will be needed to ensure such access.
Here’s a ready reckoner of the goods and services that will continue to be available under the lockdown, the prohibitions and the enforcement, as per a government notification.
Lockdown List
The Exceptions: Government Services (Limited Staff)
- Defence
- Central/State Police
- Central/State Treasury
- Central/State Utilities (Water, Power, Sanitation Petroleum, CNG, LPG)
- Disaster Management
- Post Offices
- Municipal Bodies
The Exceptions: Medical Facilities
- Hospitals
- Manufacturing/Distribution units
- Chemists
- Laboratories, clinics, nursing homes
- Transportation for all medical staff
- Source: Government Notification
The Exceptions: Commercial And Private Establishments
1. Retail Shops
- Ration
- Fruits & vegetables
- Dairy products
- Meat & Fish
- Animal fodder
2. Banks, insurance offices, ATMs
3. Print & electronic media
4. Telecom, internet, cable services
5. Information technology services
6. Delivery services of essential goods (food, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment)
7. Petrol Pumps
8. Capital and debt markets
9. Cold storage and warehousing services
10. Private security services
The Exceptions: Industrial Establishments
- Manufacturing units of essential commodities
- Production units that need to be running continuously (After permission from State government)
- Transport Services
- Transportation for essential goods
- Fire, law and order and emergency services
- Hospitality Services
- Locations offering shelter to stranded people, medical and emergency staff, air and sea crew
- Establishments used/earmarked for quarantine facilities
What's Closed/Prohibited
- Educational institutes & services
- Places of worship
- Social/political/sports/entertainment functions and gatherings
- Funerals (Not more than 20 attendees)
The Enforcement
All persons having arrived in India after Feb 15, 2020 to remain under home/institutional quarantine
District Magistrate to deploy Incident Commanders in local jurisdictions
Incident Commanders to issue passes to ensure the movement of essential goods and services
Any person violating lockdown can be charged under section 188 of IPC