The government on Wednesday issued revised guidelines to be followed till May 3, A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the extension of COVID-19 lockdown.
“The objective of the revised guidelines is to consolidate the gains achieved during the 1st phase of lockdown and further slow down the spread of COVID-19 and at the same time provide relief to farmers and labor and daily wage earners,” the government said in a release.
As per the revised guide-line, Travel by air, rail and road, operation of educational and training institutions, industrial and commercial activities, hospitality services, cinema halls and shopping complexes will remain closed.
All social, political and other events and opening of all religious places will also remain closed till the time the lockdown is in force, said the government.
The use of homemade face covers at the workplace and public places has been made mandatory. The offices have been asked to provide sanitizers, run staggered shifts, ensure access control and put in place thermal screening, as per the revised guidelines.
“The revised consolidated guidelines are aimed at operating those sectors of the economy which are critical from the perspective of rural and agricultural development and job creation while maintaining strict protocols in areas where safety is paramount to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the country,” the government release said.
Meanwhile, the total number of coronavirus cases in India has risen to 11,439 after 1076 fresh COVID-19 infections were reported in the past 24 hours, according to the latest data from the Health Ministry.
Fatalities from coronavirus in India has gone up to 377, with Maharashtra topping the tally with 178 deaths. On the other hand, 1,305 patients have been cured of the virus or discharged. In terms of a total number of cases, Maharashtra is the worst affected state with 2,687 coronavirus cases. Tamil Nadu (1,204), Telangana (624), Rajasthan (969), Madhya Pradesh (730) and Gujarat (650) are also among the other worst-affected states.
