Several coronavirus lockdown restrictions to be eased from Apr 20 to open up economy; spitting to be a punishable offence

Agriculture, construction, Information Technology, industrial units in the SEZs and rural areas are among the sectors where the coronavirus-induced lockdown restrictions will be lifted from April 20 in a bid to kickstart the country's battered economy and reduce the distress caused to millions of people.

As the second phase of the national lockdown came into force on Wednesday, the Ministry of Home Affairs(MHA) unveiled the consolidated revised guidelines' providing many relaxations to the restrictions in a range of areas with conditions.

The relaxations lay strict emphasis on social distancing with a warning by Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla that it will be withdrawn if there is any violation of norms for the lockdown that ends on May 3, as coronavirus cases crossed 1,000 for the second consecutive day on Wednesday.

The number of COVID-19 infections inched towards 12,000 while the death toll crossed 400, according to official data.

As part of series of restrictions, spitting in public places has been prohibited and it will be a punishable offence with a fine under the Disaster Management Act. Any violation may result in imprisonment of up to one year or a fine, or both.

Wearing of masks in public places has also been made compulsory and sale of liquor, gutka and tobacco totally banned.

The guidelines come a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the extension of the three-week nationwide lockdown for another 19 days till May 3 to battle the coronavirus pandemic. He had also indicated conditional easing of some curbs after April 20 in areas which are not hotspots to allow some select necessary activities
A PTI tally based on reports from the states showed the number of cases was 11,946 with 1,329 patients recovering. The death toll crossed 405