Lockdown 2: Now Fine On Spitting In Public Places, Face Mask Compulsory; Check List Of New Directives

The stricter protocols prescribed by Disaster Management Act 2005 are to be enforced across the country to ensure that the disease can be contained from spreading further.

No gathering of more than five people is permitted in public spaces or in any organisation. (Photo by Tauseef MUSTAFA / AFP)

New Delhi: A day after the government extended the 21-day nationwide lockdown till May 3, it has now issued national directives to contain the spread of Covid-19 across the nation. The stricter protocols prescribed by Disaster Management Act 2005 are to be enforced across the country to ensure that the disease can be stemmed from spreading further. Here are the major points from the directive to be strictly followed:

1. Faces have to be covered in workplaces and public spaces.
2. You will be fined for spitting in public places.
3. Substances such as gutka, tobacco and alcohol are banned.
4. No gathering of more than five people is permitted in public spaces or in any organisation. Seniors have to make sure that it is strictly followed. District magistrates are to regulate events such as marriages and funerals.
5. In order to stem the outbreak, workplaces have to follow certain things such as staggered lunch breaks, a gap of one hour between shifts, and encouraging work-from-home arrangements for some employees, such as senior citizens older than 65.
6. All employers (govt or private establishments) have been asked to encourage employees to download the contact tracing app Aarogya Setu.
7. Workplaces to be sanitised between shifts
8. No large meetings to be organised.
9. A standard operating procedure on social distancing has been created for workplaces, factories and other establishments.
10. District magistrates will enforce the new National Directives. Penal action, including fines, will be based on the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
11. All organisations should sanitise their work place between shifts
12. Not more than 2/4 people depending on size should be allowed to travel in lifts or hoists
13. Use of staircase should be promoted
14. 14 Total ban of non-essential visitors at sites.
15.  People above 65 years, persons with co-morbidities,  and parents of children below five years are to be encouraged work from home.
16. No overlap of shifts and staggered lunch with social distancing in canteen  should be ensured

Full List was shared by PIB on its official Twitter handle.

MHA issues National Directives for #COVID19 management reg. Wearing of face cover in public places; #SocialDistancing; restrictions on Social Gatherings; fines on spitting in public places and SOPs at work places/factories.#Lockdown2 #LockdownExtended#StayHomeStaySafe pic.twitter.com/StwdAWag1M

— Spokesperson, Ministry of Home Affairs (@PIBHomeAffairs) April 15, 2020

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