The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Monday said that the states and union territories cannot dilute guidelines issued for the lockdown 4.0 that will continue till May 31.
According to the statement from Ministry of Home Affairs, “States/Union territories cannot dilute restrictions imposed vide the aforesaid guidelines issued by MHA. States/UTs based on their assessment of the situation, may prohibit certain other activities in various zones, or impose such restrictions as deemed necessary.”
The Ministry on May 17 issued the revised guidelines regarding lockdown restrictions, to contain COVID-19. As the lockdown was extended up to 31.05.2020, widespread relaxations were given in the restrictions.
“Under the new guidelines effective from Monday, the States and UTs would now delineate the Red Orange and Green zones, taking into consideration the revised guidelines issued by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) on May 17. Inside the red/orange zones, containment and buffer zones would be identified by the local authorities, based on local level technical inputs and Health Ministry guidelines,” the statement said.
“Within containment zones, strict perimeter would be maintained as earlier and only essential activities would be allowed. Limited activities would continue to be prohibited throughout the country. All other activities would be permitted except the ones that are specifically prohibited under MHA guidelines,” it said.
“Further, it has been communicated that States/UTs must take into consideration the benchmarks/thresholds indicated in the revised guidelines issued by MoHFW, while delineating zones at local level. It has also been urged to give wide publicity to the Centre and respective State guidelines at local level for the convenience of the public,” it added.
