Centre likely to divide country in red, orange, green zones during extended lockdown | All you need to know about the 3 categories

New Delhi | Jagran News Desk: In wake of spiking coronavirus cases in the country, the government might extend the lockdown till April 30. However, the government might give some relaxation during the lockdown and divide the country into three categories -- Red, Orange and Green zones, reported news agency PTI.

According to the PTI report, the government will allow small scale industries and liquor shops to function during the proposed extended period of lockdown but all schools and colleges would remain shut.   

Government officials, quoted by PTI, said that the Centre will likely categorise the country into three zone -- Red, Orange and Green zones – during the extended period of lockdown depending on the number of coronavirus cases in that respective region.

According to the PTI report, there will be no activity in the red zones -- the districts where sizeable number of cases were detected or areas which were declared hotspots.

While in the orange zone, where only a few cases were found in the past with no increase in the number of positive cases, the government will allow minimum activities like opening of limited public transport, harvesting of farm products.

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On the other hand, Green zones will be in the districts where there is no coronavirus case.

This comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a video conference with the chief ministers of all states on the coronavirus outbreak in the country and to decide whether the lockdown should be extended or not.

The officials told PTI that the chief ministers were against large scale inter-state movement of people and recommended the extension of the lockdown.

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 told PTI while adding restaurants and malls won't open.

The sources, however, said that some MSME industries falling under the green zone 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, the sources told PTI.

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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.

Currently, in major cities like Delhi, 30 per cent of DTC and cluster bus services are operational for those working in essential services.

The city public transport services will be enhanced from minimum to optimal, another sources said.

The chief ministers are strongly opposed to any mass scale movements of people between states saying they don't have the capacity to put thousands of people in quarantine together, the sources said.

After the marathon meeting, the prime minister is believed to have directed top officials to work out on the guidelines -- on the restrictions and exemptions -- which may be announced either on Sunday or Monday.

(With PTI inputs)