The Central Government has issued several guidelines a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced country-wide lockdown extension till May 3 next in fight against COVID-19.
According to consolidated guidelines office of the central government, its autonomous/ subordinate offices and public corporations shall remain closed during the lockdown period.
However, exemptions are there for defence, central armed police forces, Treasury (including, Pay & Accounts Offices, Financial Advisers and field offices of the Controller General of Accounts, with bare minimum staff.
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Public utilities including petroleum, CNG, LPG, PNG, power generation and transmission units, post offices, disaster management and early warning agencies and National Informatics Centre are exempted from the purview.
Customs clearance at ports/airports/land border, GSTN; and MCA 21 are also exempted.
Reserve Bank of India and RBI regulated financial markets and entities like NPCi, CCIL, payment system operators and standalone primary dealers will operate with bare minimum staff.
Offices of the state/union territory governments, their autonomous bodies, corporations, etc shall remain closed.
However, essential services will function normally.
Other services will function with bare minimum staff.
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Hospitals, veterinary hospitals and all related medical establishments, including their manufacturing and distribution units, both in public and private sector, such as dispensaries, chemist, pharmacies (including Jan Aushadhi Kendra) and medical equipment shops, laboratories, pharmaceutical research labs, clinics, nursing homes, ambulance etc will continue to remain functional.
The transportation for all medical personnel, nurses, para-medical staff, other hospital support services will be permitted.
All commercial and private establishments shall remain closed with exceptions of shops, including ration shops (under PDS), dealing with food, groceries, fruits and vegetables, dairy and milk booths, meat and fish, animal fodder, fertilizers, seeds and pesticides.
However, district authorities may encourage and facilitate home delivery to minimize the movement of individuals outside their homes, the notification added.
Banks, insurance offices, and ATMs including IT vendors for banking operations; banking correspondent and ATM operation and cash management agencies will remain open.
Print and electronic media are also exempted from the purview of the lockdown.
Telecommunications, internet services, broadcasting and cable services, IT and IT enabled Services only for essential services will work from home as far as possible.