Many states on Monday began to allow some economic activity in parts that are designated as non-hotspots or areas least affected by the Covid-19 pandemic that had forced the entire country into a lockdown on March 25.

However, some state governments, including Delhi, have said that there will be no relaxations till the lockdown ends on May 3. However, central government employees above the rank of deputy secretary will be able to attend work in Delhi, ANI reported.

Punjab continued its flip-flop over easing restrictions in non-containment areas. Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Sunday asked officials to enforce restrictions in a stringent manner. The government also ruled out any relaxation in the curfew, even in non-hotspot areas, PTI reported.

However, on Monday, the government made a U-turn, permitting industrial activity in non-containment areas in line with the guidelines issued by the Union Home Ministry. An official release quoting the chief minister said that all guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs should be followed strictly.

The order said 11 different categories of industrial establishments will be allowed to operate, with the condition that if an industrial establishment employs 10 or more persons, it must make arrangements for the stay of workers within its premises as far as possible. Transport facilities for the workers to the place of work must also be arranged by the employer.

On Sunday, the state government had initially allowed industrial units in rural areas, booksellers, roadside eateries, shops selling air-conditioners, coolers, fans, and establishments dealing in sand and gravel mining and stone-crushing to operate. But it later withdrew the exemptions following a review of the situation by the chief minister.

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao on Sunday announced extension of the lockdown till May 7, adding that food delivery services like Zomato and Swiggy will not be allowed to operate in the state from Monday.

The lockdown in Karnataka will continue till May 3 without any relaxation, PTI reported, quoting the state’s Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister JC Madhuswamy. The state cabinet has authorised Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa and the Covid-19 Task Force to meet in three to four days to review the situation and make a decision on easing restrictions, he told the news agency.

Meanwhile, all the restrictions in Tamil Nadu will continue till the government officially announces a decision based on the recommendations of a 21-member expert committee, The Hindu reported. The panel is scheduled to submit its report to the Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Monday.

In Kerala, the government said no relaxation in lockdown guidelines would be allowed until May 3 in 88 hotspots, The Indian Express reported. Last week, the government divided the state into four zones – red, orange A, orange B and green. Easing of lockdown restrictions will be allowed from April 24 in orange A and from April 20 in Orange B areas, but lockdown norms will be intensified in the four red category districts.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday said that his government will allow certain industries to resume operations in non-hotspot areas, but with necessary precautions. Thackeray added that barring exceptions, district borders will continue to remain sealed during the lockdown period. The state will discuss the modalities to ensure the smooth inter-district flow of migrant labourers on Monday.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Adityanath on Sunday said that the decision to relax the lockdown in 19 districts that have reported 10 or more coronavirus cases will be taken by the district magistrates after their assessment of the situation.

The Haryana government has authorised deputy commissioners of all districts to permit economic activity in accordance with guidelines issued by the home ministry. In Gujarat, around 1,000-odd industrial units are expected to start functioning from Monday after the administration issued necessary permissions for re-opening.

Limited economic activity will begin in some parts of Madhya Pradesh from Monday, but the state government will enforce strict lockdown in Indore, Bhopal and Ujjain.

On Sunday, the Centre said supply of non-essential goods by e-commerce companies will remain prohibited during the lockdown. The government also issued guidelines for the movement of migrant labourers living in relief camps to their workplace, within the boundaries of the state, in areas where the lockdown will be relaxed from Monday.

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