With the Indian government announcing a total lockdown in 75 districts where coronavirus positive cases have been found, concerns over what the lockdown implies and how it will impact day-to-day life have arisen.
These 75 districts include major cities such as Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai and Kolkata. Other cities such as Delhi and Chandigarh too have announced a complete lockdown to contain the spread of novel coronavirus which as of Monday, 22 March, has affected at least 396 people in India.
Some states too, in their individual capacity, decided to go for a full lockdown till 31 March, these include Haryana, Telangana, Nagaland, Punjab, Delhi and Uttarakhand. Other states such as Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh too have announced partial lockdown following the one-day Janata Curfew that the country adhered to on Sunday.
What Does a Lockdown Mean?
The basic idea behind a lockdown is to ensure that you stay put wherever you are unless there is an emergency or need to avail "essential services".
Even though India is not dealing with a blanket lockdown as of now, many cruciual services such as train, metro, inter-city and inter-state bus service, etc have been shut till 31 March.
A lockdown in your state or city will mean all non-essential services and activities will be shut entirely.
What Are Essential Services?
While different state governments have put out lists of services which will be exempt from the lockdown, here’s a non-exhaustive list which should clarify what is classified as “essential services.”
- Hospitals, pharmacies
- Police, including fire stations
- Grocery shops, ration, fair price shops
- E-commerce of essential goods, including food and medicines
- Municipal services like water and electricity
- Media, print and electronic
- Banks, including ATMs
- Milk and general provision stores
- Offices related to the functioning of the government
- Take away/home delivery in restaurants
Is There Any Punishment For Breaking the Lockdown Rules?
Cities such as Delhi and Pune which have also announced Section 144 of CrPC along with lockdown, will punish people under it. Section 144 deems assembly of more than 5 people unlawful. The punishment under it is imprisonment which may extend to six months, or fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or both.
However, if your state or city has not announed Section 144, then upon breaking the lockdown rules, you may have to face imprisonment that may extend up to one month or a fine which may extend to Rs 200, or with both, Economic Times reported.
Can You Go to Work?
Many private organisations have asked their employees to work from home. Cities where lockdown is being observed, most private offices will remain shut.
However, employees working in media houses, hospitals, labs, dairies, etc might not be able to work from home.
How to Commute if Need be?
If you have to avail any essential service, you will be able to use your own vehicle, however, local transport in locked-down cities will not function.
Many have been requesting the government to ensure that essential-services' staff such as doctors, nurses, etc should be able to use some mode of local transport so that they can reach their offices on time. Government is yet to announce the details of this.
Should You Worry About Stocking Essentials?
The government including the PM last week in his address to the nation reiterated that the country is not facing any supply limitation so no one has to panic. Even if your city is in lockdown, you will be able to fetch groceries, milk, medicines, etc as they come under essential services.
However, because of limited transporation options, you may face some delay.
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