Over the next few weeks, the districts will be classified in three categories- Red, Orange, and Green, as the country enters another phase to fight against the novel coronavirus pandemic. With the nationwide lockdown being extended till 17th May, the government has decided to move to a classification system.
There are a total 733 districts that will be broadly divided into Red Zones, Orange Zones, Green Zones. This classification will determine the type of imposed restrictions in a district. From the movement of people to supply of goods, the classification will impact all kinds of transactions in a district.
However, the government has decided to release zone classification every week according to the situation. The zone classification is dynamic and various reliable sources such as Ministry of Health, Aarogya Setu App, and News Channels will reflect the latest zone-classifications’ information. The current list issued by the government is for the week starting May 4 onwards.
There are several relevant points regarding zone-wise classification that you all should know. Let’s take a quick look:
How is Classification Decided?
There are following factors that impact the classification of the zones. The factors such as the doubling-rate of COVID-19 cases, the total number of cases, and the extent of surveillance and testing.
- Red zones have a high number of doubling rate and cases
- Orange zones have comparatively lesser cases
- Green zones have not had any cases in the last 21 days
Union territory administrations and states’ governments are allowed to classify additional districts as red, orange, and green zones. But, lowering zone classification of a district is not allowed at this stage. For instance, Green zones can be classified as red or orange zones, but red/orange can not be classified as green zones anytime soon.
What about Containment Zones?
District authorities will identify clusters (societies/wards/towns/colonies) in urban set-ups, and villages/blocks/panchayats in rural set-ups which will be in red/orange zones. These zones will be identified by local authorities separately.
Zone-wise Restrictions:
Containment Zone:
- Entry and exit of people will be restricted.
- Movement for supplying essential goods & services will be allowed.
- Everything will remain shut.
Red Zone:
- Auto-rickshaws, public transport, barber shops, taxis/cabs, and salons will remain shut.
- 4-wheelers with a driver ( and with two passengers) will be allowed.
- 2-wheelers without pillion riders will be allowed.
- 33% staff will be allowed in offices.
- Essential services’ supply through e-commerce will be allowed.
- Liquor and tobacco shops will be open.
Orange Zone:
- 4-wheelers, including taxis with a driver ( and with two passengers) will be allowed.
- Buses will not be allowed.
- Liquor stores will be open.
- E-commerce will be allowed for both essential and non-essential services.
Green Zone:
- All activities (except nationwide prohibited activities) will be allowed.
- Buses will operate with 50% capacity.
Activities Prohibited Nationwide:
- Air and train travel will be prohibited nationwide.
- -Inter-state bus transport will not be allowed.
- Inter-state movement of people will not be allowed (except for security and medical purpose).
- Hotels, movie theatres, malls, gyms, swimming pools, schools/colleges, and bars will remain closed.
- Social and religious gatherings will not be allowed.
Want to know your district’s status?
Check out the latest list of Red, Orange, and Green Districts here
