These economic activities and services will take place in those parts of the country which are least hit or affected by the novel coronavirus.
According to a fresh guideline issued by Ministry of Home Affairs on Sunday, all e-commerce firms are allowed to supply only essential goods during lockdown. Supply of non-essential goods such as mobile phones, laptops, television sets, refrigerators and air conditioners stands prohibited.
In other development, health services (including Ministry of AYUSH) and non-banking financial corporations and micro-financial institutions will be functional under the category of essential services.
Also Read: E-commerce firms can only supply essential goods during lockdown says MHA
Pertinently, a list released by the government after holding a meeting of Group of Ministers (GoM) on Saturday, confirmed that every kind of agriculture and horticulture-related activities will be allowed as it is the high time of harvesting season and the potential bumper of wheat crops.
With the agriculture sector receiving a signal, the Fishing industry--both inland and marine-- and the aquaculture industry as well as animal husbandry sector has also been permitted to function w.e.f April 20.
The government also allowed to carry out Plantation activities--related to tea, coffee and rubber. However, these activities will be opened with a 50 per cent of employees working at a time.
Coconut, spice bamboo, areca nut and cocoa plantations, and forest produce by scheduled tribes have also been added to the list.
As per the revised guidelines of home ministry, construction of water supply and sanitation in rural areas, laying of power lines and telecom optical fibres and cables is also allowed to function.
Apparently, re-opening of limited services is a good news for daily wage earners and unemployed migrant labourers as they will get to earn their livelihood which was earlier debarred with sudden announcement of lockdown by PM Narendra Modi.
On Saturday, Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad posted a detailed tweet listing several economic activities and services which are allowed to function from April 20. It included certain commercial and private establishments and industries and industrial establishments (both government and private).
It is to be noted here that all the establishments are advised to follow govt guidelines regarding social distancing and sanitization at the workplaces. No economic activities and services will operate in containment zones.
List of other services which will function w.e.f April 20:
1) Financial sector
2) Social sector
3) MNREGA works (with strict social distancing and use of face masks)
4) Public utilities
5) Loading and unloading of goods/cargo (inter- and intra-) state
6) Online teaching/distance learning
7) Supply of essential goods
8) Commercial and private establishments
9) Industries/industrial establishments (both government and private)
10) Construction activities
11) Private vehicles for emergency services (medical and veterinary care), procuring essential commodities and for personnel traveling to workplaces in exempted categories, as per instructions of state/union territory authorities. While two people - driver plus one passenger at the back seat - are permitted to go out in a four-wheeler, only one person is allowed on a two-wheeler.
12) Offices of Government of India and offices of states and union territories