NO RELIEF FOR HOTSPOTS Fresh guidelines were issued by the government on Wednesday for enforcing the second phase of the coronavirus lockdown, with the union home ministry allowing exemptions for agriculture, e-commerce, manufacturing and IT services but barring all kinds of public transport and prohibiting opening of public places till May 3. The steps announced a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the extension of the lockdown till May 3 are part of the government’s plan to restart the economy in a staggered manner. The revised guidelines will come into effect from April 20. Guidelines for Agriculture Sector What has been allowed : - Farming operations, including procurement of agricultural products, agriculture marketing through notified Mandis and direct and decentralized marketing, manufacture, distribution and retail of fertilizers, pesticides and seeds; - Activities of marine and inland fisheries - Animal husbandry activities, including the supply chain of milk, milk products, poultry and live-stock farming; - - Tea, coffee and rubber plantations are allowed to be functional. - Industries operating in rural areas, including food processing industries; construction of roads, irrigation projects, buildings and industrial projects in rural areas; works under MNREGA, with priority to irrigation and water conservation works; and operation of rural Common Service Centres (CSCs) have all been allowed. - Operation of the fishing, aquaculture industry. Movement of fish products now allowed. - Operations of tea, coffee and rubber plantations, with maximum of 50 per cent worker. - Collection, processing, distribution and sale of milk and milk products. - Operation of animal husbandry farm. - Operation of animal shelter homes SOURCE : NEWS18