Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared a three-week nationwide lockdown starting midnight Tuesday, explaining that it was the only way of breaking the Covid-19 infection cycle. This essentially extended the lockdown from most states and Union Territories to the entire country and provided a more definite timeline. “Social distancing is the only way to break the cycle of infection,” he said.

There will be a complete bar on people from stepping outsides their homes, Modi said.

The Ministry of Home Affairs came out with a comprehensive list of essential services that will remain open during the nationwide lockdown(mentioned below). 

Allaying fears, Modi also said people need not panic about the availability of essential commodities and medicines during the 21-day nationwide lockdown as the Centre and various state governments will work together to ensure this.

In his second address to the nation on the Covid-19 outbreak, Modi told people to stay inside their homes for 21 days, warning that if they didn’t do so the country would be set back 21 years and families would be destroyed. His last address was on the outbreak was on March 19.

“This is like a curfew, and far stricter than the ‘Janata Curfew’ (on March 22),” the PM said. “Seeing the present conditions, this lockdown will be for 21 days. This is to save India, save each citizen and save your family. Do not step outside your house. For 21 days, forget what is stepping outside. There is a Lakshman Rekha on your doorstep. Even one step outside your house will bring the coronavirus inside your house.”- the PM statement.
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Guidelines on the measures to be taken by Ministries/ Departments Of Government of India, State/Union Territory Governments and State/ Union Territory Authorities for containment of COVID-19 Epidemic in the Country.
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1. Offices Of the Government Of India, it’s Autonomous/ Subordinate Offices and Public Corporations shall remain closed.

Exceptions: Defense, central armed police forces, treasury, public utilities (including petroleum, CNG, LPG, PNG), disaster management, power generation and transmission units, post offices, National Informatics Centre, Early Warning Agencies.

.2. Offices of the State/ Union Territory Governments, their Autonomous Bodies, Corporations, etc. shall remain closed.

Exceptions: Police, home guards, civil defense, fire and emergency services, disaster management, and prisons. District administration and Treasury Electricity, water, sanitation Municipal bodies—Only staff required for essential services like sanitation, personnel-related to water supply, etc. 

.3. Hospitals and all related medical establishments, including their manufacturing and distribution units, both in public and private sectors, such as dispensaries, chemists and medical equipment shops, laboratories, clinics, nursing homes, ambulance etc. will continue to remain functional. The transportation for all medical personnel, nurses, para-medical staff, other hospital support services be permitted.

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4. Commercial and private establishments shall be closed down.

Exceptions: Shops, including ration shops (under PDS), dealing with food, groceries, fruits and vegetables, dairy and milk booths, meat and fish, animal fodder. However, district authorities may encourage and facilitate home delivery to minimize the movement of individuals outside their homes. Banks, insurance offices, and ATMs. Print and electronic media Telecommunications, internet services, broadcasting and cable services. IT and IT-enabled Services only (for essential services) and as far as possible to work from home. Delivery of all essential goods including food, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment through E-commerce.

5. Industrial Establishments will remain closed.

Exceptions:
a. Manufacturing units of essential commodities
b. Production units, which require continuous process after obtaining required permission from the state government6. All transport services air. rail, roadways will remain suspended.

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6. All transport services air. rail, roadways will remain suspended.
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Exceptions:

a. Transportation for essential goods only b. Fire, law and order and emergency services.7. Hospitality Services to remain suspended
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7. Hospitality Services to remain suspended

Exceptions:

Hotels, homestays, lodges and motels. which are accommodating tourists and persons stranded due to lockdown, medical and emergency staff, air and sea crew, b. Establishments used! earmarked for quarantine facilities.8. All educational, training, research. coaching institutions etc. shall remain closed.

.8. All educational, training, research. coaching institutions etc. shall remain closed.

.9. All places of worship shall be closed for the public. No religious congregations will be permitted, without any exception.

.10. All social, political, sports, entertainment, academic, cultural, religious functions/ gatherings shall be barred.

.11. In the case of funerals, a congregation of not more than twenty persons will be permitted.

.12. All persons who have arrived in India after 15.02.2020. and all such persons who have been directed by health care personnel to remain under strict home/ institutional quarantine for a period as decided by local Health Authorities, failing which they will be liable to legal action under Sec. 188 oi the IPC.

.13. Wherever exceptions to the above containment measures have been allowed. the organizations/employers must ensure necessary precautions against COVID 19 virus, as well as social distance measures, as advised by the Health Department from time to time.

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14. In order to implement these containment measures, the District Magistrate will deploy Executive Magistrates as Incident Commanders in the respective local jurisdictions. The Incident Commander will be responsible for the overall implementation of these measures in their respective jurisdictions. All other line department officials in the specified area will work under the directions of such an incident commander. The Incident Commander will issue passes for enabling essential movements as explained.
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15. All enforcing authorities to note that these strict restrictions fundamentally relate to the movement of people, but not to that of essential goods.16. The Incident Commanders will, in particular, ensure that all efforts for mobilization of resources, workers and material for augmentation and expansion of hospital infrastructure shall continue without any hindrance.16. The Incident Commanders will in particular ensure that all efforts for mobilization of resources, workers and material for augmentation and expansion of hospital infrastructure shall continue without any hindrance.

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17. Any person violating these containment measures will be liable to be proceeded against as per the provisions of Section 51-60 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, besides legal action under Section 188 of the IPC (as per appendix).
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18. The above containment measures will remain in force, in all parts of the country, for a period of 21 days with effect from 25.03.2020.