As the Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi addressed the nation 2nd time in 5 days big announcements were on cards. As expected the PM announced a 21 days ‘nationwide lockdown’ to contain the COVID-19. The PM announced that the lockdown would come in effect from the midnight of 24th March.
Now, since the lockdown was announced people turned to streets for ‘panic buying’. An atmosphere similar to the demonetization of 2016 was seen on the streets. However, since ‘Essential services’ would be available during these 21 days there is nothing to ‘panic’.
To reduce your ‘panic’ and help you out here we bring the list of services that would be available during the next 21 days:
- Ration shops dealing with food and related items
- Groceries
- Fruits and vegetables
- Dairy and milk booths
- Meat and fish
- Animal fodder
- Banks
- Insurance offices
- ATMs
- Print and electronic media
- Telecommunications
- Internet services
- Broadcasting and cable services
- IT and IT-enabled services (only essential services)
- Delivery of all essential goods including food, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment through e-commerce
- Petrol pumps
- LPG and petroleum and gas retail and storage outlets
- Power generation
- Power transmission and distribution units and services
- Capital and debt market services as notified by SEBI
- Cold storage and warehousing services
- Private security service
As you took note of services that are available here are the things that would be closed during the next 21 days:
- Offices of the Government of India, it’s Autonomous/ Subordinate Offices and Public Corporations would remain closed
- Offices of the States Union Territory Governments, their Autonomous Bodies, Corporations, etc would remain closed
- Commercial and private establishments would be closed down
- Industrial Establishments would remain closed
- All transport services air, rail, roadways will remain suspended
- Hospitality Services to remain suspended
- All educational, training, research, coaching institutions etc. would remain closed
- All places of worship would be closed for public
- No religious congregations will be permitted, without any exception
- All social/political/sports, entertainment, academic, cultural, religious functions/ gatherings would be barred
- In the case of funerals, the congregation of not more than 20 persons will be permitted
Various state governments like the Uttar Pradesh government are also making efforts to make doorstep delivery of essential services. Thus, nothing to panic.
