According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the total number of active coronavirus cases in India are 29,453 and about 1,373 people have lost their lives due to the COVID-19. The tally of total confirmed cases has crossed the 42,000-mark and India is currently at what’s being suspected to be the peak of coronavirus. Remember, experts had predicted that the first two weeks of May are the most crucial for India as the cases can rise up to 2,50,000 during this span.
While the number of coronavirus casualties is increasing with every passing day, so is the recovery rate. At least 682 patients were cured from the novel coronavirus disease in the last 24 hours. This has taken the recovery rate in the country upto 26.59 percent. With this and all the other positives in mind, the government is taking baby steps towards normalcy and has given some form of relaxations during the third lockdown which starts today.
733 districts across the country have been classified into three different zones: red, orange, and green, depending on the number of active coronavirus cases, and the increase in the rate of cases. 130 districts have been put in red zone, 284 are in orange zone and 319 are in green zone.
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Here’s What Remains Banned
The red, orange and green lockdown zones have varying levels of restrictions in order to contain the novel virus spread. However, there are certain things that have been prohibited nation-wide. These include travel by air, metro. Educational institutions, hotels, movie theatres, malls, gyms, etc will also remain shut along with other religious and social gatherings.
Red zones:
- Barber shops, spas, and salons will remain shut in all red zone districts.
- Liquor shops allowed to open in all zones but the ones in malls and complexes will remain shut in red zone areas
- courier/postal services remain shut
Orange zones:
- The inter-district movement of individuals and vehicles not allowed for anything other than the permitted activities.
Green zones:
- In all zones, person above 65 years, persons with co-morbidities, pregnant women and children below 10 years shall stay at home.
Here’s What Is Now Allowed
There will be no restriction on the movement of goods between states or on the manufacturing and distribution of essential items all across the country.
Red zones:
- All standalone shops (both in urban and rural areas) and shops in residential complexes have been allowed to reopen for business.
- E-commerce activities are allowed but limited to essential goods.
- Private offices in red zones can operate but with only 33 per cent of their strength.
- Construction activity can also resume, as long as workers reside on site.
- Manufacturing of essential goods and IT hardware is permitted.
- Banks, NBFCs, insurance and capital market activities to function
Orange zones:
- All the above-stated relaxations
- Four wheelers allowed with one driver and not more than two passengers
- E-commerce will be allowed for both essential and non-essential items.
Green zones:
The districts falling in the green zone are the happiest zones indeed at this time since all the activities can now resume in these places except for those banned nation-wide. Extra things that are allowed in this zone are:
- All goods traffic is permitted.
- Buses can operate at 50 per cent capacity.
Which these relaxations may overwhelm many of you, it is very important to not get carried away and continue to practise social distancing as we still haven’t won our battle against coronavirus. We are still in a delicate phase and cannot afford to be careless at such a crucial time. Stay safe!
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