Lockdown 2.0: guidelines for vehicles
The lockdown that is being observed to battle the novel Coronavirus has been extended till May 3 and with that, a new set of guidelines has also been issued. A few sectors will be allowed to function from April 20. This will include private vehicles for emergency services and the ones that procure essential goods.
The new guideline allows only two passengers per car and the required distance has to be maintained. The passenger can only sit in the back of the car. For bikes, only a rider is allowed and that remains the case for scooter and moped as well.
The Ministry of Home Affairs announced that public transportation like cabs, auto-rickshaws and cycle rickshaws will be prohibited till May 3. But for activities that relate to agriculture and horticulture, farmers will be permitted to resume work from April 20.
An order from the Ministry of Home Affairs read, "The activities prohibited across the country include travel by air, rail and road; operation of educational and training institutions; industrial and commercial activities; hospitality services; all cinema halls, shopping complexes, theatres, etc., all social, political and other events; and opening of all religious places/ places of worship for members of public, including religious congregations, based on relaxations granted to areas after scrutinising their performance in containing the COVID-19 disease."
"The permitted activities from April 20, 2020, are aimed at ensuring that agricultural and related activities remain fully functional; the rural economy functions with maximum efficiency; employment opportunities are created for daily wage earners and other members of the labour force; select industrial activities are allowed to resume their operations, with adequate safeguards and mandatory standard operating protocols (SOPs); and the digital economy."
