Containment operations in Zone 1 scaled down; MHA guidelines issued in A&N Islands accordingly

Port Blair, May 02: As per the new guidelines issued by Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India, for extending the nationwide lockdown further for two weeks from 4th May, 2020, consequential orders have been issued adopting the same in the A&N Islands. 

    In terms of the new guidelines, all districts have been categorized into Red, Orange and Green Zones by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The districts of North and Middle Andaman and Nicobar fall under Green zone while South Andaman district falls under Red Zone. Accordingly, the Chief Secretary has issued orders that in the Green Zone districts and four Islands of Shaheed Dweep, Swaraj Dweep, Little Andaman and Rutland (since no positive case has been reported in these 4 Islands) all activities will be permitted from 4th of May, 2020 onwards except the activities prohibited nationwide in the new guidelines. This includes operation of education institutes, hospitality services, cinema halls, shopping malls, gymnasium and sports complexes. Gatherings of any nature be it social, political, sports, entertainment, academic, cultural or religious will be prohibited and religious places will continue to remain closed. The plying of buses and operation of bus depots shall be at 50% capacity.

    The South Andaman District, being a Red Zone, has 4 Containment Zones- Zone 1 - Atlanta Point, Dignabad, Round Basti, Sisty Nagar and Mohanpura; Zone 2 - Biggi Line; Zone 3 – Bambooflat, Wimberlygunj, Stewardgunj, Kanyapuram, Nayapuram, Hope Town, Shore Point, Mannarghat; Zone 4 – Teylarabad (Part), Calicut. These areas will have strict perimeter control and intensive surveillance. However since more than 21 days have passed from the last reported positive case in Zone 1, containment operations here are scaled down and shops selling essentials / fair price shops are allowed to open.

   In areas other than containment zones activities such as operation of taxies, buses, barbershops, spas and salons are not permitted; industrial, construction activities and standalone shops / neighbourhood shops / shops in markets selling essential goods operations are permitted in the urban areas and all shops in rural areas. All other activities will be permitted which include MNREGA works, agriculture and allied activities, animal husbandry, all health services including AYUSH, fishing, banking & financial sectors, operation of homes & anganwadies, public utilities etc. Movement passes issued for permitted activities will continue to remain valid till the 17th of May, 2020

    However, orders have been issued in all three districts under Section 144 of CrPC restricting movements from 7 pm to 7 am and of elderly people (more than 65 years), pregnant women, people with co-morbid illnesses and children below age of 10 years.

    Movement of people in public places will be strictly subject to wearing of face cover, ensuring social distancing and limiting the gathering in marriages to a maximum of 50 people and for last rites a maximum of 20 people. Consumption of liquor, pan, tobacco, gutka in public places or spitting in public places is strictly prohibited. All work places will also abide by the above directives and also ensure frequent sanitization and good hygiene practices. Any violation of these guidelines will attract penal provisions as per the Disaster Management Act, a communication said.