Coronavirus / What new guidelines have been issued for workplaces amid extended lockdown?

New Delhi: The Government on Tuesday issued guidelines for the extended period of COVID-19 lockdown, opening up economic sectors like industries in rural areas, construction, IT and IT Enabled Services (ITES), Special Economic Zones, activities related to agriculture as well as work under MNREGA from April 20 but with restrictions.

The guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs also made wearing of masks compulsory, prohibiting of spitting in public places as well as a ban on the sale of liquor, gutka and tobacco while insisting local authorities to ensure that social distancing should be practised in a strict sense in both public and work spaces.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the extension of the 21-day lockdown that was ending on April 14 to May 3 to tackle COVID-19 but had said there would be relaxations to allow economic activities to re-start. The guidelines now allow the partial opening up of the industrial sector, which was severely hit by the lockdown.

Though the Centre has allowed operations to start in certain sectors from April 20, the guidelines have made it clear that the states should first prepare the ground for it before allowing the resumption of activities.

According to the guidelines, industries operating in rural areas (outside the limits of municipalities and corporations), manufacturing and industrial establishments with access control in SEZs, Export Oriented Units, industrial estates and industrial townships are allowed to resume operations from April 20.

However, these establishments will have to make arrangements for the stay of workers as far as possible in its premises or adjacent buildings. The establishments will have to arrange dedicated transport facilities for the workers.

The guidelines also expanded the scope of relaxations for the IT industry by now allowing IT and ITES services to start operations but with a capacity of a maximum 50 per cent staff as well as IT hardware manufacturing units. However, private call centres are still out of the ambit of the guidelines. Earlier only, essential services under the IT were allowed.

Food processing units in rural areas, packing material manufacturing units, production and related activities of mines and mineral products are also allowed. In another attempt to boost activities in rural areas, brick-kilns in such localities are also allowed to operate.

In some relief for the realty sector, the government allowed the continuation of works in construction projects in urban areas where workers are available on site and nor workers are required to be brought from outside.

Similar activities in rural areas also will start with the guidelines permitting allowing building of roads, structures, industrial projects and industrial estates. Construction of renewable energy projects is also allowed.

In a bid to provide relief for the rural poor, especially the migrant workers who have returned to villages, the government also decided to allow work under the rural job guarantee scheme so that there is cash flow in these areas.

MNREGA works will be allowed with strict implementation of social distancing and face mask. Priority should be given to irrigation and water conservation works. Other central and state schemes in irrigation and water conservation must be allowed to be implemented and suitably dovetailed with MNREGA works.

The guidelines have also asked states to ensure cargo movement. It has now allowed two drivers and a helper in goods and carrier vehicles. Shops for truck repair and dhabas on highways will also be allowed.

In central government ministries, all officers above Deputy Secretary level have to attend office while for the remaining staff, only up to 33 per cent staff are to be deployed.

On the restrictions, wearing of mask in public and work places have been made mandatory while spitting is prohibited. No organisation or manager of a public place can allow gathering of five or more persons. Gatherings such as marriages and funerals will remain regulated by District Magistrate.

All work places shall have adequate arrangements for temperature screening and provide sanitisers at convenient places. Work places should have a gap of one hour between shifts and will stagger the lunch breaks of staff to ensure social distancing.

Persons above 65 years, persons with co-morbidities and parents of children below the age of five years may be encouraged to work from home.