MHA order requires that all Offices of the Government of India, its Autonomous/ Subordinate Offices and Public Corporations shall remain closed with the exception of Defence, central armed police forces, treasury , public utilities (including petroleum, CNG, LPG, PNG), disaster management, power generat ion and transmission units, post offices, National Informatics Centre, Early Warning Agencies.
Home affairs lockdown order also requires that Central Government Offices which are under exception should work with minimum number of employees. Employees of all other offices would work from home only.
Checkout Press release issued by Ministry of Home affairs and order dated 24.03.2020.
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Home Affairs
24-March-2020 21:10 IST
Government of India issues Orders prescribing lockdown for containment of COVID-19 Epidemic in the country
The COVID-19 epidemic has affected many countries and the World Health Organisation has declared it ‘Pandemic’.
Government of India (GOI) has been taking several proactive preventive and mitigating measures starting with progressive tightening of international travel, issue of advisories for the members of the public, setting up quarantine facilities, contact tracing of persons infected by the virus and various social distancing measures. Several advisories have been issued to States and Union Territories (UTs) for taking necessary measures to contain the spread of this virus. Government have temporarily suspended metro and rail services as well as domestic air traffic.
The situation has been continuously reviewed at the level of the Prime Minister of India. The PM has addressed the Nation on the need for preventive measures and has also held meeting with all the Chief Ministers through video conference.
Experts, keeping in view the global experiences of countries which have been successful in containing the spread of COVID-19 unlike some others where thousands of people died, have recommended that effective measures for social distancing should be taken to contain the spread of this pandemic
While steps taken by State/UT Governments are in the right direction, lack of uniformity in the measures adopted as well as in their implementation, may not serve the objective of containing the spread of the virus. Considering the situation. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), chaired by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, in exercise of the powers under section 6(2)(i) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, has issued an Order dated 24.03.2020, directing the Ministries/ Departments of Government of India, and the State/Union Territory Governments and State/ Union Territory Authorities to take effective measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the country.
In compliance of the said Order of NDMA, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued an Order dated 24.03.2020 under Section 10(2)(l) of the Disaster Management Act, directing the Ministries/ Departments of Government of India, State/Union Territory Governments and State/ Union Territory Authorities to take effective measures for ensuring social distancing so as to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the country. The Order shall remain in force, in all parts of the country, for a period of 21 days with effect from 25.03.2020.
The Ministries/ Departments of Government of India and State Governments/Union Territory Administrations, have been directed to ensure strict implementation of these Orders. The implementation of these measures will be monitored by MH
Guidelines on the measures to be taken by Ministries/ Departments of Government of India, State/Union Territory Governments and State/ Union Territory Authorities for containment of COVID-19 Epidemic in the Country.
1. Offices of the Government of India, its Autonomous/ Subordinate Offices and Public Corporations shall remain closed.
Exceptions:
Defence, central armed police forces, treasury , public utilities (including petroleum, CNG, LPG, PNG), disaster management, power generation and transmission units, post offices, National Informatics Centre, Early Warning Agencies
2. Offices of the State/ Union Territory Governments, their Autonomous Bodies, Corporations, etc. shall remain closed.
Exceptions:
a. Police, home guards, civil defence, fire and emergency services, disaster management, and prisons.
b. District administration and Treasury
c. Electricity, water, sanitation
d. Municipal bodies-Only staff required for essential services like sanitation, personnel related to water supply etc
The above offices (SI. No 1 & 2) should work with minimum number of employees. All other offices may continue to work-from-home only.
3. Hospitals and all related medical establishments, including their manufacturing and distribution units, both in public and private sector, such as dispensaries , chemist and medical equipment shops, laboratories, clinics, nursing homes, ambulance etc. will continue to remain functional. The transportation for all medical personnel, nurses, para-medical staff, other hospital support services be permitted.
4. Commercial and private establishments shall be closed down.
Exceptions:
a. Shops, including ration shops (under PDS), dealing with food, groceries, fruits and vegetables, dairy and milk booths, meat and fish, animal fodder. However, district authorities may encourage and facilitate home delivery to minimize the movement of individuals outside their homes.
b. Banks, insurance offices, and ATMs.
c. Print and electronic media
d. Telecommunications , internet services, broadcasting and cable services. IT and IT enabled Services only (for essential services) and as far as possible to work from home.
e. Delivery of all essential goods including food, pharmaceuticals , medical equipment through E-commerce.
f. Petrol pumps, LPG, Petroleum and gas retail and storage outlets.
g. Power generation , transmission and distribution units and services.
h. Capital and debt market services as notified by the Securities and Exchange Board of India
1. Cold storage and warehousing services.
j. Private security services
All other establishments may work-from-home only.
5. Industrial Establishments will remain closed. Exceptions:
a. Manufacturing units of essential commodities.
Source - Gconnect
