Lockdown 2.0: What has India changed under new guidelines?

India has extended its lockdown and has made some changes in the earlier lockdown guidelines by relaxing restrictions on farming and banking .

The lockdown which began on 25 March is said to end on 3 May. Also, the extended lockdown rules will come into effect on April 20.

All kinds of travel, malls, colleges, and most businesses will remain shut.

Essential services such as groceries and medical stores will be allowed to function.

All public gatherings are still banned.

Banks and government centres distributing social security benefits and pensions will reopen.

Agricultural business such as dairy, fishing, tea, coffee and rubber plantations, and shops dealing with fertilizers and machinery will be allowed to function.

Public works programmes will also reopen, but under strict instructions to follow social distancing norms.

Trucks, trains, and planes carrying goods will be allowed to operate.

Plumbers, electricians, and carpenters will be allowed to work.

Also, roadside eateries will also function with social distancing norms so that lorry drivers transporting goods have regular access to food.

But the government has said none of these new rules will apply in ‘containment zones’ or ‘hotspots’. Such state and districts will be sealed off and only emergency vehicles will be allowed.