India: The Unlock 3 continues in place

August 21, 2020 | MEASURES, INDIA

RESTRICTIONS STILL IN PLACE

The Unlock 3 continues in place.

MEASURES

  • The phase ‘’Unlock 3’’ continues in place and all activities shall adhere to the requirements as stipulated in the Guidelines for Phased Re-opening (Unlock 3), including:
    • All activities in areas outside Containment Zones will be permitted, excluding prohibited activities such as academic, entertainment, sports, social, political, religious-related events, metro rail and international air travel of passengers (except those permitted by Ministry of Home Affairs). Starting from 5 August, yoga institutes and gymnasiums have been permitted to resume operation with adherence to the relevant Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
    • Lockdown remains in force in the Containment Zones until 31 August, 2020 and only essential activities will be allowed, where no movement of people in or out of these zones, except for medical emergencies and for maintaining supply of essential goods and services.
    • The local government may impose restrictions on certain activities outside the Containment Zones, as deemed necessary.
  • In addition, the National Directives for COVID-19 Management shall continue remain in force throughout the country.
  • At the same time, on 19 August, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) issued Guidelines on Safe Ophthalmology Practices in COVID-19 Scenario to outline the preventive and response measures to be observed to minimise and avoid the spread of COVID-19 in eye care facilities.

IMPACT ON FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN

  • For food sector, the food manufacturing activities remain unhampered. Based on the Guidelines, there shall be no restriction on inter-State and intra-State movement of persons and goods. No additional approval/permission will be required for these forms of movements.
  • However, some of the challenges still being observed in terms of food retail. As of 14 August, it was reported that
    • Kolkata: Vegetable prices have increased by 30% to 40 % due to the extended lockdown.
    • Cochin: Limited supplies and availability of essential foodstuffs due to the ongoing lockdown in West Cochin
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