MHA allows flow of all essential, non-essential goods

Amid the nationwide 21 day lock down in the country to ameliorate the spread of COVID-19, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Sunday asked states to allow transportation of all goods, without distinction of essential and non-essential. Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla also clarified in a fresh letter to states and union territories, that the newspaper delivery supply chain was also allowed under exemptions given for print media, as per the first addendum issued to the guidelines of March 24.

He said the entire supply chain of milk collection and distribution, including its packing materials, s well as the services of the Indian Red Cross Society have been allowed during this lock down. Hygiene products such as hand wash, soaps, disinfectants, body wash, shampoos, surface cleaners, detergents and tissue paper, toothpaste and other oral care items, sanitary pads and diapers, battery cells and chargers also come under the umbrella of groceries, the secretary stated.