COVID-19 National Lockdown: Home Ministry Guidelines - What They Mean

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address to the nation on Tuesday night announced a complete nationwide lockdown for 21 days. In his second address to the nation in the week, PM Modi pointed out that this was an extreme measure much needed at this time in battling the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Most states and union territories are already in a state of lockdown and this would mean that not much would actually change on a day-to-day basis. However, since the Prime Minister announced a national lockdown, uniform guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs(MHA) would now come into play and would have to be enforced across the country during the 21 day period.

Further, the MHA will keep a 24 x 7 hotline ready to help states during this three week period. PM Modi himself remarked that the national lockdown is nothing short of a curfew across the country.

What will stay open?

• Central government offices including those related to defence, paramilitary forces, treasury, disaster management, power generation and transmission, post offices, public utilities such as petroleum, CNG, LPG and PNG.

• Key state government offices related to departments such as police, home guards, civil defence, fire and emergency services, presents, disaster management, district administration and treasury, electricity, water and sanitation.

• Hospitals and related medical establishments in the public and private sector including dispensaries, chemists, equipment shops, labs, clinics and nursing homes.

• The transportation of all medical personnel including nurses, paramedical staff and other hospital support services will be permitted.

• Groceries, shops dealing with food, dairy and milk outlets, meat and fish shops, animal fodder.

• Print and electronic media

• Banks, insurance offices and ATMs

• Telecommunication, internet, broadcasting and cable services.

• Petrol pumps, LPG and related outlets.

• Supply of all essential goods including medicines and medical equipment through e-commerce.

• Private security services

• Cold storage and warehousing services

• Transportation for essential goods and emergency services

• Hotels, homestays, lodges which provide accommodation to tourists and others stranded due to lock down or which are providing quarantine facilities.

• A limit of 20 people for funeral processions.

Closed

Once the lockdown comes into force many establishments will have to be shut down. Here's a brief list:

• Commercial and private establishments unless exempted will work from home.

• Factories and industrial establishments will remain shut.

• Transport services including rail, road and air will stand cancelled till further notice.

• Hotels and hospitality services will remain suspended.

• Educational institutions across the board will be shut down.

• All places of worship will have to be closed down and religious congregations will not be permitted.

• Social, political, entertainment, academic, cultural, sports and religious functions among others stand banned during this entire period.