Govt releases new lockdown guidelines

On Tuesday, the Minstry of Home Affairs  issued a fresh note to all the states and Union Territories on specific services and activities clarifying that caregivers of senior citizens residing with them have been exempted from lockdown measures.

The notification also exempted pre-paid mobile recharge utilities, and food processing units situated in urban areas from the restrictions imposed as per nationwide lockdown norms. “Shops of school books, electric fans allowed to open during lockdown. Treatment facilities for seeds, horticulture produce, research establishments, honey bee colonies allowed to open during lockdown,” said the MHA notification. 

However it was also clearly stated that  National COVID-19 Directives and Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for social distancing for offices, workshops, factories and establishments must be ensured.