Except essential services, all others barred during lockdown in AP

Amaravati: The State government barred all services, commercial activities, public and private transportation system, except those engaged in essential services.

In exercise of the powers contained under Sec 234 of Epidemic Disease Act, 1897, the state Governor issued certain measures for containment of COVID-19, on Monday through GO RT No 209.

Nilam Sawhney, Chief Secretary stated that following the state-wide lockdown till March 31, to prevent the onset of community transmission of the Coronavirus, the government restricted movement of the public.

However, certain offices and people engaged in essential services are allowed to commute in the state even during the total lockdown period.

Offices charged with law and order and magisterial duties, including offices of Collector, Joint Collector, Sub Collector or RDO and MRO. The Police, health, urban local bodies, fire, electricity, water and municipal services, bank, ATM, print, electronic and social media offices will be allowed.

In addition to that, the food, groceries, milk, bread, fruit, vegetable, meat, fish and their transportation-related activities and warehousing also allowed.

Hospitals, pharmacies, optical stores, pharmaceuticals manufacturing and their transportation-related activities, telecom and internet services including IT & lTeS, postal services, supply chain and related transportation of essential goods to be allowed.

At the same time, e-Commerce (delivery) of all essential goods including food, pharmaceutical and medical equipment, take away or home delivery restaurants and hotels, petrol pumps, LPG gas, Oil agencies, their go-downs and transportation-related activities are exempted from lockdown.

Production and manufacturing units which require continuous process may continue to function, after obtaining the required permission from the Collector. Manufacturing units engaged in the production of essential commodities, private establishments that support the above services or are linked to the efforts for containment of COVID-19 will remain open, announced the Chief Secretary.

Other than those mentioned above, all services and public transportation came to standstill till March 31.