Total lock down in India; What will remain open, what will remain closed?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday in his address to the nation   announced a total lockdown  for three weeks in the wake of rising cases of coronavirus infection in the country.

“From 12 o’clock tonight there will be a complete lockdown across the country,” the PM said in his second address to the nation on the subject in a week’s time

From his speech

‘Social distancing is for all, including PM’

The prime minister emphasised in his address about strict following of social distancing to prevent the spread of the deadly virus. He said some people are under the misconception that social distancing is only for the patients.

“This is not right. Social distancing is for every citizen, every family and for every member of the family, and for the prime minister as well,” he said.

“You have to remember that a coronavirus infected person initially appears to be normal and doesn’t show symptoms. So, maintain precautions and stay at home,” he said.

“I am confident that every Indian will not only successfully fight this difficult situation but also emerge victorious,” he said.

“Whatever may happen, do not step out of your homes,” the Prime Minister told the people.

“In view of the current situation, the nationwide total lockdown will be in place for 21 days — three weeks,”

“If we are not able to manage the upcoming 21 days, we will be pushed back 21 years. Today, India is at the stage where our actions today will decide to what extent we can bring down the impact of this disaster.”

“There will certainly be an economic cost due to the lockdown. But my priority — as also that of every state government and every government functionary — is to save the lives of Indians.”

“We are taking all steps to ensure a continuous supply of essential commodities,” he said.

The prime minister has also made extensive references in his speech to the experiences of other countries in handling the novel coronavirus outbreak.

“People are hearing and watching the worldwide situation arising from the coronavirus pandemic in the news. They are also seeing how the most empowered nations have become helpless in the face of this pandemic. It’s not that these nations are not making efforts or lack resources, but the coronavirus is spreading so rapidly that despite all their efforts, the challenge is increasing,”

“The result of a two-month study of these countries and what the experts are saying is that social distancing is the only option to combat the coronavirus. That is to remain apart from each other and stay confined to your homes. There is no other way to remain safe from coronavirus. If we have to stop the spread of coronavirus, we have to break the cycle of infection.”

“It took 67 days for it (COVID-19) to infect one lakh people, at first, but only 11 days to reach a total of two lakh people. This is even more alarming that the disease took only 4 days to reach three lakh people from the count of two lakh. If we want to restrict the spread of the coronavirus, we will have to break its chain of infection,” the prime minister said.

The government guidelines 

The Home Ministry on Tuesday released detailed guidelines on the measures to be taken central and state level to contain Covid-19 epidemic. The guidelines were issues after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announced three-week nationwide lockdown from today. \

“There will be no shortage of essential commodities during the 21-day lockdown. Central govt along with all state govts making adequate efforts to deal with the situation,” Home Minister Amit Shah said.

• WHAT REMAINS OPEN
• -Petrol Pumps, CNG, LPG, PNG
• -Banks, insurance offices, print and electronic media to remain open
• -Disaster management, power transmission units
• -Police, home guards, defence and armed forces
• -Electricity, water and sanitation
• -Hospitals, nursing homes, fire stations, ATMs will continue to work:
• -Fair price shops and those dealing with food, groceries, fruits, vegetables, dairy, meat, fish, animal fodder
• -Capital and debt market services as notified by SEBI
• WHAT REMAINS CLOSED
• -All transport services — road, rail and air — to remain suspended during the lockdown period
• -Hospitality services
• -Suspension of Railway services will be extended till April 14
• -Educational, social, political institutions
• -Not more than 20 people permitted during funerals
• -All private offices
• -Offices of state/ Union territory government and autonomous bodies

-Offices of government of India and public corporation