Coronavirus lockdown zones: Full list of Red, Orange, Green districts in India

Red, Orange, and Green zones— that’s how districts across India will be classified over the next few weeks as the country enters another phase of its battle against the novel coronavirus pandemic. The nationwide lockdown, imposed to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus, has been extended till May 17 and the government has decided to move to a district-wise zone classification system for this period.

The 733 districts of India will be broadly divided into Red Zones, Orange Zones, and Green Zones. The zone classification will determine the kind of restrictions placed on the movement of people and the supply of goods in a district.

Before we get to the full list of districts, there are important points regarding zone-wise restrictions and classification you must read. 

ZONE-WISE RESTRICTIONS

The Red, Orange, or Green Zone classification of a district will determine what kind of activities are permitted there. Containment areas within Red and Orange Zones will have additional restrictions. Certain activities are prohibited across the country regardless of the zone classification.

Here’s a brief overview of the restrictions under the extended lockdown. These restrictions are based on the central government’s directives. States are allowed to increase the restrictions.

Prohibited nationwide: Air and train travel, inter-state bus transport, metro, and local trains, and inter-state movement of people is prohibited across the country, except for medical and security purposes. All educational institutions, hotels, movie theatres, malls, gyms, swimming pools, and bars will remain shut. Religious and social gatherings are banned. 

Containment areas: Entry and exit of people will be severely restricted. Movement of people will only be allowed for the supply of essential goods and services. Almost everything will remain shut.

Red Zones: Cycle and auto-rickshaws, taxis and cabs, public transport, barbershops, spas, and salons will remain shut. Four-wheelers with a driver and two passengers and two-wheelers without pillion riders will be allowed. Offices can open with a third of the staff. E-commerce will be allowed for essential services and all standalone shops, including liquor stores, will be allowed to be open. 

Orange Zones: Four wheelers, including taxis, with one driver and two passengers, will be allowed. Buses will not be allowed. Liquor stores will be allowed to open and e-commerce will be allowed for both essential and non-essential items. 

Green Zones: All activities except those prohibited nationwide will be allowed. Buses can operate at 50 percent capacity. 

Here’s a full list of what’s permitted in all Zones and what’s not 

CLASSIFICATION

The Red, Orange, and Green Zone classification is based on factors such as the number of novel coronavirus cases, the doubling rate of Covid-19 cases, and the extent of testing and surveillance. Red Zones have a high number of cases and a high doubling rate, Orange Zones have comparatively fewer cases and Green Zones have not had any cases in the last 21 days.

States governments and union territory administrations are allowed to classify additional districts as Red or Orange Zones. States and UTs, however, cannot lower the zone classification of a district. For example, Green Zones or Orange Zones can be re-classified as Orange Zones or Red Zones, respectively. But, Red Zones or Orange Zones cannot be re-classified as Orange Zones or Green Zones, respectively.

CONTAINMENT ZONES

Within Red Zones and Orange Zones, district authorities will identify clusters (colonies/wards/towns in urban centers and villages/panchayats/blocks in rural areas) as containment zones where life will be severely restricted. The containment areas within Red and Orange Zones will be identified separately by local authorities.