Coronavirus updates for May 1
As the number of coronavirus cases in India crosses 35,000, the Centre has extended the nationwide lockdown for two more weeks, till May 17. Here's a roundup of YourStory's coverage today of how India and the world are dealing with the coronavirus pandemic.
As the number of coronavirus cases in India crosses 35,000, the Centre has extended the nationwide lockdown for two more weeks, till May 17.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has come up with different guidelines to regulate the red, orange, and green zones differently. While the red zones are considered hotspots, considerable relaxations have been given to green and orange zones. One hundred and thirty districts in the country, including metropolitan areas of Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad etc, have been put into red zones, 284 in orange zones, and 319 in green zones.
According to the guidelines, in all zones, travel by air, rail, metro and inter-state movement is not allowed. Educational institutions, hospitality services, religious places, as well as places of large gatherings such as gyms, malls, cinema halls etc, shall remain closed.
Restricted movement of individuals and vehicles is allowed in red zones between 7 am and 7 pm. Construction activities with on-site labour is also allowed, so is manufacturing of essential goods, IT hardware, and jute industry, but with staggered shifts. Industrial and construction activity in rural areas is now allowed, including MNREGA works, food-processing units and brick kilns. However, ecommerce activities in red zones are allowed only for essential goods and services. Private and government offices are also allowed to operate, albeit with 33 percent strength.
In orange zones, taxis and cab aggregators can ply but with a maximum of one passenger. All four-wheelers are allowed to operate but with a maximum capacity of two passengers. Inter-district movement of passengers is also allowed for permitted activities.
Further relaxations have been permitted in green zones, with buses and bus depots allowed to operate with 50 percent capacity. All goods traffic is also permitted.
Here's a roundup of YourStory's coverage today of how India and the world are dealing with the coronavirus pandemic.
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