Coronavirus | Home Ministry Issues Fresh Guidelines On COVID-19 Lockdown Exemption: Details Inside

The Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday issued new guidelines covering additional people and services who will be exempted during the lockdown. Amid increasing coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in India, PM Modi on Tuesday announced complete lockdown in the country for the next 21 days.

According to the Home Ministry’s new guidelines, Reserve Bank of India and RBI-regulated financial markets, pay and accounts officers and field officers of the CAG, petroleum products and supply chain and forest staff are exempted during the 21-day lockdown.

“Employees of airports and railways handling cargo operations, coal mining activities, officers and staff of resident commissioners based in Delhi and customs clearance at ports, airports and land borders are exempted during the 21-day lockdown,” the MHA said.

“Forest offices staff and workers required to operate and maintain zoo, nurseries, wildlife, fire fighting in forests, watering plantations, patrolling and their necessary transport movement, social welfare department staff for operations of homes for children, disabled, senior citizens, destitute women, widows, observation homes and pensions service are also exempted,” the MGA guidelines added.

It is to be noted that the total number of positive COVID-19 cases in India so far stands at 606, including 553 active cases, 42 cured/discharged people and 10 deaths.

In view of the panic across the country due to the novel coronavirus outbreak, Union health ministry joint secretary Lav Aggarwal held a press conference and said that people should not buy Hydroxychloroquine as it has side effects. Earlier, US President Donald Trump said his administration was working to get access to hydroxychloroquine after the studies in France and China suggested that it can help patients suffering from the Covid-19 illness.

Also Read: Coronavirus: Indian Railways Cancels All Passenger Trains Till April 14 Amid Nationwide COVID-19 Lockdown

Coronavirus pandemic has so far claimed over 17,000 lives across the world. More than 3.5 lakh people are infected by COVID-19 in over 120 countries. With no known cure so far for the coronavirus, the deadly disease has become a major issue for the entire world.

(With PTI Inputs)

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