The State Government has drafted its proposed exit policy for the current lockdown as per which the lockdown will continue in all districts of the state till April 30. This and other aspects of the proposed exit policy and measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 were discussed in a high level meeting chaired by chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat on Friday. The proposed exit policy for the lockdown will be submitted to the Centre.
As per the proposed exit policy, during the lockdown period all government and private offices, shops and commercial establishments will remain closed, except those tasked with the provisioning of essential services and commodities.
However, certain relaxations will be granted for residents of Category A district- those that have not reported a single positive COVID-19 case in the fortnight prior to April 14. Districts that have reported even a single COVID-19 case in the fortnight preceding April 14 will be placed in Category B.
Hotspots identified within districts will be subject to stricter regulation, including absolute ban on movement etc, considered necessary for containment of COVID-19. Local administration will ensure delivery of essential commodities at the doorstep of residents in such localities. Section 144 will be in force in the entire state till April 30 prohibiting assembly of more than five persons.
Strict implementation of social distancing policy will be in force and wearing of masks will be made compulsory in all public places till May 31. Further, no Indo-Nepal and interstate movement will be permitted upto April 30 by any mode- air, rail or road. Inter-state and intra-state movement of cargo transport vehicles will be permitted 24 x 7 in consonance with MHA guidelines on the subject.
While no inter-district and intra-district movement except cargo will be permitted in Category B districts, the permission for inter-district and intra-district movement can be considered by district magistrate in Category A districts. No movement of vehicles will be permitted except cargo between Category A and B districts.
Industrial, construction and mining activities will be permitted in all districts except in COVID-19 hotspots by the district magistrate after a review of the prevalent health scenario and risks involved in the area of operation of the activity.
The DM will obtain an undertaking from the owner/management that on-site accommodation with proper safeguards pertaining to social distancing, hygiene etc have been ensured.
Care should be taken to ensure that no person serving a quarantine period is engaged in any capacity in any industrial, construction or mining activity and an undertaking to this effect will be given by the employer to the DM.
All efforts should be made to facilitate smooth operation of industries engaged in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, agro products and other essential commodities.
However, under no circumstances will importation of labour from outside the state or from a Category B district be allowed. Stamp and registration activity will be permitted in all districts in a regulated manner with strict adherence to hand and respiratory hygiene, social distancing norms and electronic transfer for stamp purchases and payment of fees. Hotels, lodges, home-stays, dharmshalas, hostels, malls, cinema halls, multiplexes, gyms, restaurants, bars, religious institutions etc shall remain closed throughout the state.
However, no hotel, lodge, home-stay, hostel, dharmshala or any other establishment housing tourists, migrants, stranded individuals, workers and staff during the period of lockdown shall evict any of the residents without clear permission of the DM.
Agriculture including horticulture, bee-keeping, animal husbandry, dairy, fisheries and allied activities will be permitted in the entire state except in COVID-19 hotspots. It is further proposed that all educational institutions in the state shall remain shut till May 15. Air conditioning will not be permitted in any Government, commercial, industrial building or public or commercial transport in the state till May 15.
Self driven private vehicles without any passenger will be allowed to ply in Category A districts between 7 AM and 1 PM daily though no vehicle except those carrying essential commodities will be allowed to move between category A and B districts, even for transit purpose.
Discovery of COVID-19 positive case in any district including those in Category A will invite imposition of stricter regulation. No quarantined person will be allowed to move outside the home or institutional quarantine area with violation inviting strict legal action. All private medical clinics, nursing homes and hospitals will remain open in the state.
However, guidelines related to hand and respiratory hygiene and social distancing will be fully adhered to. MNREGS works will be permitted in all Category A districts provided social distancing guidelines are followed.