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This article was first published on 21 December, 2020. 3 months since, there is another wave of COVID-19 in India. The highest reported daily spike in the first wave was 17 September, last year at 97,894. According to NDTV, India’s daily COVID cases crossed 1 lakh for the first time ever, as of 5 April, 2021.
It has been a year and a half since the first Coronavirus case was registered in Wuhan, China. Since then, India has experienced its own highs and lows with the spread of the deadly virus. One could have assumed that the early placement of lockdown would help hinder the rate of spread of the virus, but, here we are, months later, having crossed the 2 crore COVID-19 cases mark that has resulted in over 2.4 lakh deaths.
Although India rolled out its vaccines - Covishield and Covaxin in early 2021, and we are reportedly the fastest country globally to have administered seventeen crore vaccines. Experts have warned that if current practises such as extending India’s vaccination drive and adopting the COVID protocol are not followed, recurring waves of coronavirus infections would be unavoidable. In most parts of the country, some form of restrictions or even complete lockdowns have been announced.
We understand that the overwhelming numbers and data regarding the pandemic, lockdowns and the quarantine that flash on your screens every day can be difficult to comprehend and come to terms with. However, it is important to remember that the guidelines and restrictions being put in place are for our safety and well-being, and that makes it even more important for us to follow them.
WHO Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus even warned us in rather subdued words, “Even if you don’t get sick, the choices you make about where you go could be the difference between life and death for someone else.”
For this very reason, we have jotted down some important guidelines, so that you can keep track of lockdown measures in various states and cities across India, and form a clear idea about the state of affairs regarding COVID-19.
I. Maharashtra
Due to the surge in COVID-19 cases, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has announced new guidelines for the state. As of 10 May, the following are the fresh restrictions issued by the state government.
1. Only essential services and emergencies are permitted to use public and private transportation.
2. Inter-district travel requires a 14-day mandatory home quarantine.
3. Only government employees (state, centre, and local authorities) and medical workers (doctors, paramedics, lab technicians, and medical clinic staff) will be able to use Mumbai’s local trains, metro, and monorail.
4. The public can use state or local government-owned public buses, which will only run at fifty per cent of their normal capacity.
5. Private passenger transportation, such as taxis and autorickshaws, are only allowed to operate for emergency or critical services or for legitimate reasons with the driver plus fifty per cent of the seating space.
6. Except for emergency services specifically related to the management of COVID-19, government offices such as the central, state, and local government can only function with fifteen per cent attendance.
7. Marriage ceremonies should only be held as a single event in a single hall for no more than two hours, with a maximum of twenty-five people in attendance.
8. Grocery stores to remain open only for four hours from 7 am to 11 am.
9. Medical shops are allowed to be open till 8 pm.
10. Home deliveries from grocery stores and restaurants are allowed till 8 pm.
To know more about the Maharashtra COVID restrictions, check out Indian Express’s article.
II. Delhi NCR and Haryana
The ongoing lockdown in Delhi NCR has been extended, said Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, adding that it will be harsher this time around. Following are the updated guidelines issued by the Delhi NCR state government.
1. In addition to all the curbs in place during previous lockdowns, Delhi’s chief minister declared that metro services would be suspended during the lockdown’s extension time.
2. In the national capital, weddings can now only be performed at home or in court with a maximum of twenty guests.
3. In the area, essential services such as supermarkets, milk booths, pharmacy shops, and so on will remain available.
4. CNG, LPG, and petrol pumps will remain open.
5. Government offices will remain open.
6. Private offices, schools, universities, and other educational establishments will be closed.
7. Public areas such as gyms, malls, beauty salons, and movie theatres will be closed.
8. Weekly markets, as well as onsite construction, will be suspended.
9. Banks, ATMs, and other financial institutions will continue to operate.
10. Patients, pregnant women, and journalists/media persons will be permitted to travel.
For Haryana, here are the guidelines that are to be followed.
1. During this time, essential services will be permitted.
2. Interstate travellers must now produce a negative RT-PCR test that is less than 72 hours old.
3. Inter-state travellers would need to register on the Dehradun administration’s website.
4. Travellers from Uttarakhand will be required to isolate for seven days.
5. Public, private, and day schools have declared summer vacation till J
III. Rajasthan
Amid the COVID-19 surge, the Rajasthan government has imposed a state-wide fourteen-day lockdown starting May 10. Here are the updated guidelines set by the state government.
1. Travel between districts, cities, and villages within the state will be restricted.
2. Negative RT-PCR test report is required for people entering the state from other states. Anyone who fails to submit a negative report will be put on a 15-day quarantine.
3. In order to discourage workers from migrating, they will be permitted to work in factories, and special buses will be run for factory/construction site workers.
4. Stores that were allowed to open under the previous rules will remain open.
5. Places of worship to remain closed.
6. Only emergency vehicles to be allowed for movement.
7. Weddings to take place in court or at home with no more than 11 guests.
To know more about the Rajasthan COVID restrictions, check out The Economic Times.
IV. Karnataka
With the second wave of COVID-19 wreaking havoc in Karnataka, the state government led by Chief Minister B. S. Yedurappa decided to declare a complete lockdown from May 10 to 24.
1. Only scheduled flights and trains will be available for travel.
2. All public transportation services in Bengaluru, including the BMTC and metro trains, as well as KSRTC in the state, will be shut.
3. Taxis, auto rickshaws, and cab services are prohibited, unless they are used in an emergency.
4. All educational institutions, such as schools, colleges, and coaching centers, will be closed.
5. Restaurants will remain closed, however, home deliveries are permitted.
6. Public gatherings and religious institutions to remain shut during this period.
7. Grocery stores and liquor shops will be open only between 6am to 10am. Post which only deliveries are allowed.
To know more about the Karnataka COVID restrictions, check out The Hindu.
V. Madhya Pradesh
The Bhopal district administration today extended the COVID-19 imposed curfew in the Madhya Pradesh capital until May 17, an official said, in an effort to halt the spread of the virus. Emergency and essential services are exempted from these rules.
“The corona curfew is extended in the areas under the Bhopal Municipal Corporation and Berasia town till 6 am on May 17 as per the order issued by district collector Avinash Lavaniyam,” the official added.
VI. Gujarat
The Gujarat government declared a night curfew in all 29 cities of the state on Tuesday in response to the alarming rise in COVID-19 cases and deaths, as well as a slew of restrictions on public places, congregations, functions, markets, and other activities during the curfew. According to the Gujarat Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), beginning 28 April, a curfew will be enforced in all of Gujarat’s towns. The curfew was supposed to end on 5 May, however, it has been extended till 12 May.
To know more about the Madhya Pradesh COVID restrictions, check out Times Now.
VII. Himachal Pradesh
The Himachal Pradesh government has decided to impose restrictions in the form of a curfew in light of the dramatic increase in the number of COVID-19 cases and COVID related deaths in the state. The decision was made in a high level meeting, during which, it was agreed that all stores, with the exception of those concerned with everyday necessities and essential services, would remain closed. Until further notice, public transportation will be halted.
To know more about the Himachal Pradesh COVID restrictions, check out Times of India.
VIII. Punjab
Amid the surge in novel coronavirus cases in the state, additional curbs have been announced by the Punjab government. No more than two people can travel in a vehicle government offices must have 50 per cent staff strength, and those entering the state via air, rail, or road must have a negative coronavirus test record.
To know more about the Punjab COVID restrictions, check out Live Mint.
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