India Lockdown: What Kind of Shops and Services will be Open for Public for Next 24 Days?

To stop the spread of the growing pandemic Covid-19 across Indian states, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced a complete lockdown of the nation for 21 days in his second address on Tuesday. The complete lockdown will be implemented from today onwards up to the next 21 days, which means zero movements of public and complete closure of all offices under the central government and autonomous/subordinate office, state government offices, commercial and private establishments, public corporations, school, colleges, universities, transportation services including air travel, railways and roadways across the country. However, under mentioned services and offices will be open to help the public amid this lockdown mode. 

To stop the deadly virus that has claimed 10 lives so far and infected more than 500 persons nationwide, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has decided to declare this extreme step nationwide.

We are bringing the government guidelines to the public on what will remain open/closed for the next 21 days. Amid this nationwide lockdown, these services and offices will be open to the public.

Offices of the central government

Offices of the Government of India, it's 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

Offices of state government

Offices of the State/ Union Territory Governments, their Autonomous Bodies, Corporations, etc. shall remain closed.

However, these offices under the state government will be open to the public.

Police, home guards, civil defence, fire and emergency services, disaster management, and prisons.

1. District administration and Treasury

2. Electricity, water, sanitation

3. Municipal bodies—Only staff required for essential services like sanitation, personnel-related to water supply etc

The above offices (SI. No I & 2) should work with a minimum number of employees. All other offices may continue to work-from-home only.

Banks, insurance offices, and ATMs will remain open

Telecommunications, internet services, broadcasting and cable services will function as is, while IT and IT-enabled Services only (for essential services) are encouraged to work from home.

Delivery of all essential goods including food, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment will be done through E-commerce.

Petrol pumps, LPG, Petroleum and gas retail and storage outlets will remain open.

Power generation, transmission and distribution units and services in the private sector will provide electricity.

Cold storage and warehousing services will remain open, and so will private security services.

Transport services

Air travel, railways and roadways will remain suspended for the next 21 days. However, the transportation of essential good will continue to operate. In addition, fire, law and order and emergency services will remain open.

Medical facilities

All hospitals and related medical establishments of the public and private sectors like laboratories, clinics, nursing homes, ambulance, including their manufacturing and distribution units, will remain open and functional.

Commercial and Private Establishments

All ration shops (under PDS), and shops dealing with food, groceries, fruits and vegetables, dairy and milk booths, meat and fish, animal fodder will remain open, although governments are encouraged to facilitate home delivery.

Industrial Establishments

To provide an interrupted supply of essential commodities, all of their manufacturing units will remain open. Production units may function after obtaining the required permission from the state government.

Hospitality Services

Hotels, homestays, lodges and motels, which are accommodating tourists and persons stranded due to lockdown, medical and emergency staff, air and sea crew will remain open.

Security Service

Police and security personal will be continuing their job and ensure safety during the nationwide lockdown.

Media & Broadcasting

Press including print, television and web media will be working 24*7 to provide all the information, safety measures and government guidelines to the public.