IT and ITeS Companies to Be Allowed to Operate under Coronavirus Lockdown: What are the Guidelines?

After the extension of the Coronavirus lockdown until 3 May was announced by the Prime Minister yesterday, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has just released consolidated revised guidelines regarding the lockdown measures to be taken by Ministries/Departments of Government of India, State/UT Governments for containment of the Coronavirus epidemic in the country. As per the guidelines various industries would be allowed to function as long as they strictly follow the issued guidelines.

Establishments must keep in mind the Standard Operating procedures (SOPs) of social distancing at workplaces, offices and factories until further orders from the government, says the MHA release.

Establishments that will be allowed to operate under Coronavirus lockdown

Certain commercial and private establishments will be allowed to function by the government. The list of IT services that will be allowed is as follows:

1. Print and electronic media including broadcasting, DTH and cable services.
2. IT and IT-enabled services with up to 50 percent strength.
3. Data and call centres for government activities only.
4. E-commerce companies and vehicles used by e-commerce operators will be allowed to ply with necessary permits.
5. Private security services and facilities management services for maintenance and upkeep of office and residential complexes.
6. IT vendors for banking operations.
7. Services such as IT repairs, electricians and other similar self-employed services.
8. Industries operating in rural areas.
9. Manufacturing units of essential goods.
10. Production units, which require continuous process and their supply chain.
11. Manufacturing and other industrial establishments with access control in Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and Export Oriented Units (EoUs), industrial estates and townships.
12. Manufacturing of IT hardware.

Guidelines to be followed under Coronavirus lockdown

The establishments mentioned above will be allowed to operate as long as they strictly follow these ensuing guidelines:

1. Wearing a face cover or mask is mandatory in all public places and office complexes.
2. Social distancing should be maintained in workplaces.
3. All workplaces will have to make adequate arrangements for temperature screening and to provide sanitizers.
4. A gap of one hour between shifts, and staggered lunch breaks to staff will have to be ensured to maintain social distancing.
5. People above 65 years of age must be encouraged to work from home.
6. Downloading of Aarogya Setu app must be encouraged.
7. Large meetings must be discouraged, and office complexes should be sanitized between shifts.
8. Transportation facilities with 30 to 40 percent capacity must be arranged for workers coming in from outside.
9. Medical insurance for workers should be made mandatory.