Amidst rising cases of COVID-19 and various state Governments suggesting to extend the lowdown, the Centre is working on a robust plan to tackle the situation. As per the plan the government may impose partial lockdown, allowing some small scale industries to function to sustain the economy.

As per a PTI report, it may categorise the country into red, orange and green zones depending on the number of COVID-19 cases during the proposed extended period of lockdown.

Reports say the Government might allow limited services to function in the safe zones.

Officials privy to the discussions during the four-hour-long conference with chief ministers, convened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently, said that schools and colleges would remain shut but some small scale industries and liquor shops may be allowed to function.

There was near unanimity in extending the ongoing 21-day lockdown, which is till April 30, and the central government is likely to categorise the country into three zones — red, orange and green — depending on the number of COVID-19 cases, an official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told PTI.

There will be no activity in the red zones — the districts where sizeable number of cases were detected or areas which were declared hotspots.

In the orange zones — where only a few cases were found in the past with no increase in the number of positive cases — minimum activities like opening of limited public transport, harvesting of farm products will be allowed.

Green zones will be in the districts where there is no COVID-19 case.

The chief ministers were against large scale inter-state movement of people, sources said.

Liquor shops are likely to be allowed to open as many chief ministers strongly pitched for it arguing that it is a major revenue generating way for the states, the sources said, adding restaurants and malls won’t open.

However, some MSME industries falling under the green zone — in the districts where there is no COVID-19 case — will be allowed to function with in-house lodging facilities for employees with proper maintenance of social distance.

Agricultural activities are also set to be allowed in green and orange zones with strict maintenance of social distance.

Limited domestic air and train services may be allowed in select sectors with 30 per cent or less passengers while limited metro services may also be started in cities like Delhi with 30 per cent passengers.

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