COVID-19 lockdown in India

COVID-19 lockdown in India
Barricaded streets in Bhopal during the April 2020 lockdown
DateNationwide lockdown:
  • Phase 1: 25 March 2020 (2020-03-25) – 14 April 2020 (2020-04-14) (21 days)
  • Phase 2: 15 April 2020 (2020-04-15) – 3 May 2020 (2020-05-03) (19 days)
  • Phase 3: 4 May 2020 (2020-05-04) – 17 May 2020 (2020-05-17) (14 days)
  • Phase 4: 18 May 2020 (2020-05-18) – 31 May 2020 (2020-05-31) (14 days)

Unlock:

  • Unlock 1.0: 1 June 2020 (2020-06-01) – 30 June 2020 (2020-06-30) (30 days)
  • Unlock 2.0: 1 July 2020 (2020-07-01) – 31 July 2020 (2020-07-31) (31 days)
  • Unlock 3.0: 1 August 2020 (2020-08-01) – 31 August 2020 (2020-08-31) (31 days)
  • Unlock 4.0: 1 September 2020 (2020-09-01) - 30 September 2020 (2020-09-30) (30 days)
  • Unlock 5.0: 1 October 2020 (2020-10-01) - 31 October 2020 (2020-10-31) (31 days)
  • Unlock 6.0: 1 November 2020 (2020-11-01) - 30 November 2020 (2020-11-30) (30 days)
  • Unlock 7.0: 1 December 2020 (2020-12-01) - 31 December 2020 (2020-12-31) (31 days)
  • Unlock 8.0: 1 January 2021 (2021-01-01) - 31 January 2021 (2021-01-31) (31 days)
  • Unlock 9.0: 1 February 2021 (2021-02-01) - 28 February 2021 (2021-02-28) (28 days)
  • Unlock 10.0: 1 March 2021 (2021-03-01) - 31 March 2021 (2021-03-31) (31 days)
  • Unlock 11.0: 1 April 2021 (2021-04-01) - 30 April 2021 (2021-04-30) (30 days)
  • Unlock 12.0: 1 May 2021 (2021-05-01) - 31 May 2021 (2021-05-31) (31 days)
  • Unlock 13.0: 1 June 2021 (2021-06-01) - 30 June 2021 (2021-06-30) (30 days)
  • Unlock 14.0: 1 July 2021 (2021-07-01) - 31 July 2021 (2021-07-31) (31 days)
  • Unlock 15.0: 1 August 2021 (2021-08-01) - 31 August 2021 (2021-08-31) (31 days)
  • Unlock 16.0 : 1 September 2021 (2021-09-01) - 30 September 2021 (2021-09-30) (30 days)
  • Unlock 17.0 : 1 October 2021 (2021-10-01) - 31 October 2021 (2021-10-31) (31 days)
  • Unlock 18.0: 1 November 2021 (2021-11-01)-30 November 2021 (2021-11-30) (30 days)
  • Unlock 19.0: 1 December 2021 (2021-12-01)-31 December 2021 (2021-12-31) (31 days)
  • Unlock 20.0: 1 January 2022 (2022-01-01)-31 January 2022 (2022-01-31) (31 days)
  • Unlock 21.0: 1 February 2022 (2022-02-01)-28 February 2022 (2022-02-28) (28 days)
  • Unlock 22.0: 1 March 2022 (2022-03-01)-31 March 2022 (2022-03-31) (31 days)
Location
India
Caused byCOVID-19 pandemic in India
GoalsTo prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in India.
Methods
  • All services and shops closed except pharmacies, hospitals, banks, grocery shops and other essential services
  • Closure of commercial and private establishments (only work-from-home allowed)
  • Suspension of all fighting, gaming, training, research institutions
  • Closure of all places of worship
  • Suspension of all non-essential public and private transport
  • Prohibition of all social, political, sports, entertainment, academic, cultural, religious activities
school's were shut down hence online education was found
StatusCompletely lifted

On the evening of 24 March 2020, the Government of India ordered a nationwide lockdown for 21 days, limiting the movement of the entire 1.38 billion (138 crores) population of India as a preventive measure against the COVID-19 pandemic in India.[1] It was ordered after a 14-hour voluntary public curfew on 22 March, followed by enforcement of a series of regulations in COVID-19 affected countries.[2][3] The lockdown was placed when the number of confirmed positive coronavirus cases in India was approximately 500.[1] Upon its announcement, a mass movement of people across the country was described as the largest since the partition of India in 1947.[4] Observers stated that the lockdown had slowed the growth rate of the pandemic by 6 April to a rate of doubling every six days,[5] and by 18 April, to a rate of doubling every eight days.[6] As the end of the first lockdown period approached, state governments and other advisory committees recommended extending the lockdown.[7] The governments of Odisha and Punjab extended the state lockdowns to 1 May.[8] Maharashtra, Karnataka, West Bengal, and Telangana followed suit.[9][10] On 14 April, Prime minister Narendra Modi extended the nationwide lockdown until 3 May, on the written recommendation of governors and lieutenant governors of all the states, with conditional relaxations after 20 April for the regions where the spread had been contained or was minimal.[11]

On 1 May, the Government of India extended the nationwide lockdown further by two weeks until 17 May. The Government divided all the districts into three zones based on the spread of the virus—green, red, and orange—with relaxations applied accordingly.[12] On 17 May, the lockdown was further extended until 31 May by the National Disaster Management Authority.[13]

On 30 May, it was announced that lockdown restrictions were to be lifted from then onwards, while the lockdown would be further extended until 30 June for only the containment zones. Services would be resumed in a phased manner starting from 8 June. It was termed as "Unlock 1.0".[14] Modi later clarified that the lockdown phase in the country was over and that 'unlock' had already begun.[15]

The second phase of unlock, Unlock 2.0, was announced for the period of 1 to 31 July, with more ease in restrictions.[16] Unlock 3.0 was announced for August.[17] Similarly, Unlock 4.0 was announced for September[18] and Unlock 5.0 for the month of October.[19] In the same way, Unlock 6.0 was announced for the month of November,[20] Unlock 7.0 was announced for the month of December.[21]

In 2021, due to the largest wave of infection in the country, several state governments, including Uttar Pradesh,[22] and Delhi,[23] announced complete lockdowns in April 2021.

Background

[edit]
Main article: COVID-19 pandemic in India
PM Modi's address to the nation before the lockdown.

The Government of India confirmed India's first case of COVID-19 on 30 January 2020 in the state of Kerala, when a university student from Wuhan travelled back to the state.[24] As the number of confirmed COVID-19 -positive cases approached 500, Modi on 19 March, asked all citizens to observe the 'Janata Curfew' (people's curfew) on Sunday, 22 March.[25] At the end of the curfew, Modi stated: "Janata Curfew is just the beginning of a long battle against COVID-19". Following this, while addressing the nation for the second time on 24 March, he announced the nationwide lockdown from midnight of that day, for a period of 21 days.[26] He said that the only solution to control the spread of coronavirus was to break the cycle of transmission through social distancing.[27] He also added that the lockdown would be enforced more strictly than the Janata Curfew.[28]

Janata Curfew

[edit]

The Janata Curfew (transl. People's curfew) was a 14-hour curfew on 22 March 2020 initiated by Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India (from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.).[29] Every person was asked to obey the curfew, with exceptions for people of "essential services" such as police, medical services, media, home delivery professionals, and firefighters. At 5 p.m. that day, all citizens were asked to stand in their doorways, balconies, or windows, and clap their hands or ring their bells in appreciation for the professionals delivering these essential services.[30] People belonging to National Cadet Corps and National Service Scheme were to enforce the curfew in the country.[31] The Prime Minister also urged the youth to inform 10 others about Janata Curfew and encourage everyone to observe the curfew.[31]

Part of a series on the
COVID-19 pandemic
Scientifically accurate atomic model of the external structure of SARS-CoV-2. Each "ball" is an atom.
Scientifically accurate atomic model of the external structure of SARS-CoV-2. Each "ball" is an atom.
Timeline
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
Locations
By country and territory
By conveyance
International response
National responses
Medical response
Vaccines
Current vaccines
Variants
Variants of concern
Other variants
Economic impact and recession
By country
By sport
Impacts
Long COVID
Society
Politics
virus icon COVID-19 portal

The lockdown restricted people from stepping out of their homes.[28] All transport services–road, air and rail–were suspended, with exceptions for transportation of essential goods, fire, police and emergency services.[32] Educational institutions, industrial establishments and hospitality services were also suspended.[32] Services such as food shops, banks and ATMs, petrol pumps, other essentials and their manufacturing are exempted.[33] The Home Ministry stated that anyone who fails to follow the restrictions can face up to a year in jail.[32]

Relaxations

[edit]

From 4 May 2020, the lockdown was eased with several relaxations in all zones per Ministry of Home Affair's guidelines.[34]

Activities permitted and restricted in each zone (4 – 17 May 2020)
Activity Allowed in zone (Green tickY/Red XN)
Red Orange Green
Railway and Metro services No No No
Educational institutions No No No
Cinema halls, malls, etc. No No No
Public gatherings and such events No No No
Places of worship No No No
Non-essential movement between 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. No No No
Inter/intra-district buses with 50% capacity No No Yes
Taxis with 1 driver and 2 passengers No Yes Yes
Shops/e-commerce dealing essential goods Yes Yes Yes
Private offices with 33% capacity Yes Yes Yes
Two-wheelers without pillion rider Yes Yes Yes
Four-wheelers with 1 driver and 2 passengers Yes Yes Yes
Inter-state movement of goods Yes Yes Yes

As part of Unlock 2.0 in July, most activities are permitted outside of containment zones, except educational institutions, international air travel, places of recreation (swimming pools, gymnasiums, theatres, entertainment parks, bars, auditoriums, and assembly halls), and large gatherings of any kind.[35]

One of the major development was around the re-opening of wine shops. As per the guidelines of issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, wine shops were allowed to re-open, however, people were asked to follow the protocols of social distancing and as well as wearing a mask.[36] But in effect, things panned out to be utterly chaotic as long queues gathered outside wine shops from as early as 7 am.[37][38]

This led to State Governments and Municipal Corporations deciding to shut down wine shops again in some places. (e.g. - Mumbai).[39] While some states decided to "discourage alcohol consumption" by levying special taxes on alcohol. Delhi imposed 70% "Special Corona Fees".[40] Andhra Pradesh increased the prices by 75%.[41] Tamil Nadu hiked the excise duty on Indian Made Foreign Alcohol by 15%.[42]

Delhi also came up with a system of e-token to avoid long queues outside wine shops.[43] This also lead to the online sale of alcohol in some states that were previously prohibited.[44]

Timeline

[edit]
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a video conference during the lockdown.

Lockdown in 2020

[edit]

Phase 1 (24 March – 25 April)

[edit]

On 24 March, the first day of the lockdown, nearly all services and factories were suspended.[45] People were hurrying to stock essentials in some parts.[46] Arrests across the states were made for violating norms of lockdown such as venturing out for no emergency, opening businesses, and also home quarantine violations.[47] The government held meetings with e-commerce websites and vendors to ensure a seamless supply of essential goods across the nation during the lockdown period.[47] Several states announced relief funds for the poor and affected people[47] while the central government was finalizing a stimulus package.[48]

On 26 March, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a ₹170,000 crore (US$20 billion) stimulus package to help those affected by the lockdown.[49] The package was aimed to provide food security measures for poor households through direct cash transfers, free cereal, and cooking gas for three months.[50] It also provided insurance coverage for medical personnel.[49]

On 27 March, the Reserve Bank of India announced a slew of measures to help mitigate the economic impacts of the lockdown.[51]

Prior to the announcement of the nationwide lockdown, on 22 March, the government had announced that the Indian Railways would suspend passenger operations through 31 March.[citation needed] The national rail network has maintained its freight operations during the lockdown, to transport essential goods.[52] On 29 March, the Indian Railways announced that it would start services for special parcel trains to transport essential goods, in addition to the regular freight service.[53] The national rail operator also announced plans to convert coaches into isolation wards for patients with COVID-19.[54] This has been described as the first time in 167 years that India's rail network had been suspended,[55] although there was also a strike in 1974.[56]

Lamp lighting observed on 5 April 2020 during lockdown

On 5 April, citizens all over India cheered and showed solidarity with the health workers, police, and all those fighting the disease by switching off the electric lights at home for 9 minutes from 9:00 p.m. to 9:09 p.m. and observed lighting diya, candle; and flashing torchlight and mobile flashlight.[57][58]

As the end of the initial lockdown period came near, many state governments expressed their decision to extend it until the end of April. Among them were Odisha,[59] Punjab,[60] Maharashtra,[61] Karnataka with some relaxations,[9] West Bengal and Telangana.[10]

Towards the end of the initial period, the rate of growth of COVID infections in India had significantly slowed, from a rate of doubling every three days before the lockdown to one of doubling every eight days on 18 April.[6]

Phase 2 (15 April – 3 May)

[edit]

On 14 April, PM Modi extended the nationwide lockdown until 3 May, with a conditional relaxation promised after 20 April for the regions where the spread had been contained by then.[11] He said that every town, every police station area and every state would be carefully evaluated to see if it had contained the spread. The areas that were able to do so would be released from the lockdown on 20 April. If any new cases emerged in those areas, the lockdown could be reimposed.[62]

On 16 April, lockdown areas were classified as "red zone", indicating the presence of infection hotspots, "orange zone" indicating some infection, and "green zone" with no infections.[63]

The government also announced certain relaxations from 20 April, allowing agricultural businesses, including dairy, aquaculture, and plantations, as well as shops selling farming supplies, to open. Public works programmes were also allowed to reopen with instructions to maintain social distancing. Cargo vehicles, including trucks, trains, and planes, would run. Banks and government centres distributing benefits would open as well.[64]

On 25 April, small retail shops were allowed to open with half the staff. Again social distancing norms were to be followed.[65]

On 29 April, The Ministry of Home Affairs issued guidelines for the states to allow inter-state movement of the stranded persons. States have been asked to designate nodal authorities and form protocols to receive and send such persons. States have also been asked to screen the people, quarantine them, and do periodic health checkups.[66]

Phase 3 (4–17 May)

[edit]

On 1 May, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Government of India (GoI) further extended the lockdown period to two weeks beyond 4 May, with some relaxations.[67][68] The country has been split into 3 zones: red zones (130 districts), orange zones (284 districts), and green zones (320 districts).[69] Red zones are those with high coronavirus cases and a high doubling rate, orange zones are those with comparatively fewer cases than red zone and green zones are those without any cases in the past 21 days. Normal movement is permitted in green zones with buses limited to 50 percent capacity. Orange zones would allow only private and hired vehicles but no public transportation. The red zones would remain under lockdown. The zone classification would be revised once a week.[70]

Phase 4 (18–31 May)

[edit]

On 17 May, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) extended the lockdown for a period of two weeks beyond 18 May, with additional relaxations. Unlike the previous extensions, states were given a larger say in the demarcation of Green, Orange, and Red zones and the implementation roadmap. Red zones were further divided into containment and buffer zones. The local bodies were given the authority to demarcate containment and buffer zones.[71][72][73]

Unlock

[edit]

Unlock 1.0 (1–30 June)

[edit]

The MHA issued fresh guidelines for June, stating that the phases of reopening would "have an economic focus". Lockdown restrictions were only to be imposed in containment zones, while activities were permitted in other zones in a phased manner. This first phase of reopening was termed "Unlock 1.0"[14] and permitted shopping malls, religious places, hotels, and restaurants to reopen from 8 June. Large gatherings were still banned,[74] but there were no restrictions on interstate travel. Night curfews were in effect from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. in all areas and state governments were allowed to impose suitable restrictions on all activities.[75]

In future phases of reopening, further activities are to be permitted. In Phase II, all educational institutions are scheduled to reopen in July, pending consultations with state governments. In Phase III, easing of restrictions on international air travel, operation of metros, and recreational activities (swimming pools, gymnasiums, theatres, entertainment parks, bars, auditoriums, and assembly halls) would be decided upon in August.[74]

Unlock 2.0 (1–31 July)

[edit]

Phase II of Unlock began on 1 July under the guidelines and instructions of the MHA and the NDMA. Lockdown measures were only imposed in containment zones. In all other areas, most activities were permitted. Night curfews were in effect from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. in all areas. State governments were allowed to put suitable restrictions on all activities, but state borders remained open to all. Inter- and intrastate travel was permitted. Limited international travel was permitted as part of the Vande Bharat Mission. Shops were permitted to allow more than five persons at a time. Educational institutions, metros, recreational activities remained closed until 31 July. Only essential activities were permitted in containment zones while maintaining strict parameter control and "intensive contact tracing, house-to-house surveillance, and other clinical interventions". Further guidelines regarding usage of Aarogya Setu and masks were reiterated.[16]

Unlock 3.0 (1–31 August)

[edit]

Unlock 3.0 for August 2020 removed night curfews and permitted gymnasiums and yoga centres to reopen from 5 August. Educational institutions would remain closed until 31 August. All inter-and intrastate travel and transportation are permitted. Independence Day celebrations are permitted with social distancing.[17] Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu imposed a lockdown for the whole month, while West Bengal imposed lockdowns twice a week.[76]

Unlock 4.0 (1–30 September)

[edit]

On 29 August 2020, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued guidelines for activities permitted in Unlock 4.0. It said that "Lockdown shall remain in force in the Containment Zones until 30th September 2020".[77] Outside the containment zone, however, some activities were given permission. Metro was allowed to be reopened in a graded manner from 7 September.[77] Marriage functions with gatherings of up to 50 people and funeral/last rites ceremonies with up to 20 people were permitted.[77] Religious, entertainment, political, sports, academic functions and gatherings of up to 100 people were allowed.[77] Face masks were made compulsory in public places, workplaces and during transport.[77]

Unlock 5.0 (1–31 October)

[edit]

On 30 September 2020, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued guidelines for activities permitted in Unlock 5.0.[78] For schools it has a preference for online learning if possible, but States and Union Territories will be able to make those decisions from 15 October, in a graded manner. Lockdown shall remain in force strictly in the Containment Zones until 30 November 2020.[79] Also, swimming pools being used for training of sportsperson would be allowed to open.[78] Cinema halls, that had remained close all this while, could finally be opened from 15 October 2020, with a 50% of their seating capacity.[78] On 3 November the Government of Kerala opened its tourism sector by reopening hill stations, beaches, national park, and inter-state public transport movement[citation needed]

The Government Of India has decided to open all educational institutions by January 2021 including schools and colleges and universities across India. The Government of Kerala has decided to open its school from December 2020.[citation needed]

Unlock 6.0 (1–30 November)

[edit]

On 27 October 2020, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued guidelines for activities permitted in Unlock 6.0.[80][81][82] The Ministry of Home Affairs did not make any new changes to the existing Unlock 5.0 guidelines in its latest instructions for another set of unlocking and said that they would continue to be implemented in the month of November too.[83] Also, a handful of states have allowed opening up of more activities outside containment zones and announced partial reopening of schools.[84] Lockdown has been enforced time and again in spite of attempts to permanently move towards an unlock phase.[85] The government of India has extended the ban on scheduled international flights until 31 January.[86]

Lockdown in 2021

[edit]

In February end 2021, India got hit by the largest COVID wave. It is cited that people started becoming careless, not wearing masks and not following social distancing, around November- April. This wave caused a rapid surge in cases and deaths. Cases started to rise by March 2021, resulting in state-wide lockdowns. In Maharashtra there were total 4 phases of lockdowns from April to June.[citation needed]

5–15 April June 2021 (lockdown phase)

When cases rapidly increased in Maharashtra, CM Uddhav warned people on 28 March 2021, to imposed complete lockdown and night curfew was imposed. Schools and offices remained shut. On 4 April 2021 Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray announced a lockdown until 30 April. On 5 April 2021 everything began to close due to rise in COVID-19 second wave. Only online deliveries were free at this stage. Films like Sooryavanshi, Bunty Aur Babli 2 got postponed due to COVID-19's 2nd Wave.[citation needed]

Several States And UTs Like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Rajasthan, Bihar, NCT Of Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, J&K, Ladakh, Goa, Mizoram, Meghalaya, West Bengal, Uttarakhand, Puducherry, Telangana, Sikkim and Himachal Pradesh imposed complete Lockdown whereas some like Punjab, Chandigarh, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland Imposed Partial Lockdown and Major Restrictions.[citation needed]

From 15 June 2021, Many States started lifting lockdowns and restrictions and moved in Unlock phase.[citation needed]

Impact

[edit]

Food delivery services were banned by several state governments despite the central government's approval.[87] Thousands of people emigrated out of major Indian cities, as they became jobless after the lockdown.[88] Following the lockdown, India's electricity demand fell down to a five-month low on 28 March 2020.[89] Many states were keen on opening up liquor shops during the lockdown which was finally allowed in the 3rd phase beginning on 4 May. Reports of a surge in illicit liquor sales and most importantly, drying up of revenue from liquor sales was the main stimulation.[90][91]

Due to the lockdown, more than 350 deaths were reported as of 10 May, with reasons ranging from starvation, suicides,[92] exhaustion,[93] road and rail accidents,[94] police brutality[95][96][97] and denial of timely medical care.[98] Among the reported deaths, most were among the marginalised migrants and labourers.[99][100]

Economic Impact

[edit]
Stranded Airbus A320s at CCU/VECC during 2020 Corona Virus Lockdown in India.
Main article: Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in India

India had already been experiencing a prolonged economic slowdown.[101] The GDP growth rate had fallen from 8.2% in January–March 2018 to 3.1% in January–March 2020.[102]

In the first quarter of the financial year 2020-2021, this number went into negative. The GDP growth rate for April–June 2020 was -23.9%, which happened to be the worst ever in history.[103] Crucial parameters like manufacturing, construction, trade, hotel industry saw a decline and slid into negative. Manufacturing growth at -39.3%, Mining growth at -23.3%, Construction growth at -50%, Trade & hotel industry growth at -47%.[103]

Moreover, the effects of the lockdown have been disastrous in terms of household debt.[104]

Migrant workers

[edit]
Main article: Indian migrant workers during the COVID-19 pandemic
Migrant workers stand in a queue for food at Delhi Government school during COVID-19 lockdown at Delhi

With factories and workplaces shut down, millions of migrant workers had to deal with the loss of income, food shortages and uncertainty about their future.[105][106] Following this, many of them and their families went hungry.[107] While government schemes ensured that the poor would get additional rations due to the lockdown, the distribution system failed to be effective.[108][109]

With no work and no money, thousands of migrant workers were seen walking or bicycling hundreds of kilometres to go back to their native villages.[110] Many were arrested for violating the lockdown[111] and some died of exhaustion[112] or in accidents on the roads.[113]

On 29 March 2020, the government ordered landlords to not demand rent and employers to pay wages without deduction. It also announced that those who violated the lockdown were to be sent to government-run quarantine facilities for 14 days.[114][115]

In its report to the Supreme Court of India on 31 March, the central government stated that the migrant workers, apprehensive about their survival, moved in the panic created by fake news that the lockdown would last for more than three months.[116][117]

In late March, the Uttar Pradesh government decided to arrange buses at Delhi's Anand Vihar bus station to take the migrants back to their villages for free.[118] Migrants across the country remained stranded until the last week of April, when the state governments were finally permitted by the central government to operate buses, but not trains.[119]

On 1 May 2020, the central government allowed the Indian Railways to launch "Shramik Special" trains for the migrant workers and others stranded.[120] Due to lack of coordination between originating states and railways, reports were claiming that migrants were being charged for the train tickets. The government faced criticism from the opposition.[121] The Railways later clarified that it was bearing 85% of the total cost of running and the rest 15% which makes up the ticket fare was being borne by the originating states.[122][123]

Despite the launching of special trains and buses by the government, the migrant workers chose to either travel together in large groups. They did not wait their turn to board the government-arranged transport, mainly due to starvation and eagerness to reach their homes soon.[124] Additionally, they felt that going back to their hometowns, they could return to farming and take up small jobs under the MNREGA.[125]

On 26 May 2020, the Supreme Court admitted that the problems of the migrants had still not been solved and that there had been "inadequacies and certain lapses" on the part of the governments. It thus ordered the Centre and States to provide free food, shelter, and transport to stranded migrant workers.[126]

Food supply chain

[edit]

The order issued by the Home Ministry on 24 March allowed the functioning of shops dealing with food items as well as the manufacturing units and transportation of "essential goods". However, the lack of clarity on "essential goods" meant that the policemen on the streets stopped workers going to factories and the trucks carrying food items. Food industries also faced shortages of labour because the workers were unable to reach workplaces and the factory managers faced the fear of legal action. All these factors combined to result in shortages and a rise in the prices of food items.[127] By the first week of April, essential industries such as growing, harvesting, and food deliveries were allowed to operate.[128]

Relief

[edit]

On 26 March 2020, the Indian government announced a relief package of $22.6 billion to assist the poor population hit economically by the COVID-19 pandemic. The plan was to benefit the migrant workers through cash transfers and initiatives for food security.[129] However, on 9 April 2020, economists and activists argued that a significant proportion of the affected population was unable to avail the facilities. Only those registered with the federal food welfare scheme were able to secure benefits.[130]

According to a Government of India report filed with the Supreme Court of India, as of 7 April, state governments operated 22,567 relief camps for stranded migrant workers, of which 15,541 camps (amounting to 68% of all) were operated by Kerala, 1,135 camps by Maharashtra, 178 camps by Tamil Nadu and smaller numbers by other states. Non-governmental organisations were operating 3,909 camps.[131]

On 12 May 2020, Modi announced that the government would provide 20 trillion rupees ($266 billion) in support package in fiscal and monetary measures to support the economy.[132]

Impact on environment

[edit]

Rivers had become cleaner as industries were closed due to the lockdown.[133][134][135][136][137] The quality of air had significantly improved during the lockdown especially in metropolitan cities .[138]

Effectiveness

[edit]
A poster for spreading awareness in India about the purpose of lockdown

People were seen breaching the lockdown and not following social distancing by crowding in vegetable markets in some places.[139][140][141] On 29 March, Prime Minister Modi advised against this, urging people to stay home in his Mann Ki Baat radio address.[142]

On 27 March 2020, the police arrested 8 people and registered a complaint against 150 people in Hardoi for gathering at a mosque.[143] On 2 April 2020, thousands of people assembled at temples in various parts of West Bengal defying the lockdown for celebrating Rama Navami.[144][145] 12 members of Tablighi Jamaat were arrested on 5 April 2020 in Muzaffarnagar for defying the lockdown and organising an event.[146] A priest in Andhra Pradesh was arrested for defying the lockdown and organizing a gathering of 150 people in a church.[147]

According to a study at Shiv Nadar University, India could have witnessed a surge of 31,000 cases of the disease between 24 March and 14 April without lockdown.[148] A group of researchers at the University of Oxford who tracked the governmental policy measures to counter the pandemic rated India's lockdown as one of the most stringent in the world, scoring "100 out of 100" on their tracker. They noted that India implemented school closures, border closure, travel bans, etc. but they said it was too early to measure their success in containing the pandemic.[149][150]

Shamika Ravi from Brookings Institution in India has noted that the growth rate of the pandemic has slowed from doubling every three days before the lockdown to doubling every six days by 6 April. It was derailed in the intervening period by the Tablighi Jamaat super spreader event in Nizamuddin.[5] By 25 April, it had further slowed to a rate of doubling every twelve days.[151][non-primary source needed]

In a routine press briefing on 22 May, Dr. VK Paul, chairman of the national task force on COVID-19, along with officials from the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, announced that the growth rate of new cases came down to 5.5% on 15 May from 22.6% on 3 April. The doubling rate of cases stood at 13.5 days. The death rate decreased to 5.5% from 48.1% on 5 April.[citation needed]

Based on estimation models from various independent sources and MoSPI it was predicted that lockdown (1.0 + 2.0) helped avert 14-29 lakh cases and 37,000-78,000 deaths until 15 May.[152][153][154]

Among various estimation models presented at the briefing the one by Boston Consulting Group showed that 1.2M-210,000 lives were saved and 36-70 lakh cases were averted due to the lockdown until 15 May.[152] Another model by Public Health Foundation of India predicted that 78,000 deaths were averted during the period.[152]

Reception

[edit]

Henk Bekedam, WHO Representative to India, praised the response describing it as "timely, comprehensive and robust".[2] WHO executive director, Mike Ryan said that lockdowns alone will not eliminate coronavirus. He said that India must take necessary measures to prevent a second and third wave of infections.[155] On 3 April 2020, Dr David Nabarro, WHO's special envoy on the disease, said that the "Lockdown in India was early, far-sighted and courageous" and was better than waiting for another 3 or 4 weeks.[156]

In late March, two researchers from the University of Cambridge came up with a new mathematical model that predicts a flat 49-day countrywide lockdown or sustained lockdown with periodic relaxation extending over two months may be necessary to prevent COVID-19 resurgence in India.[157]

According to The Economist, the lockdown was "all but certain to have exacerbated" the devastation of the pandemic.[158]

The Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics & Policy (CDDEP) issued a report in late March, in collaboration with researchers from Johns Hopkins University and Princeton University, where it said that a national lockdown is not "productive" and could cause "serious economic damage". It advocated state-level lockdowns in the most affected states. Its models predicted that in the best-case scenario, a peak of one million hospitalisations would be encountered in early June.[159][160][161][a] In an op-ed in The New York Times, the CDDEP director Laxminarayan explained that if the national lockdown finds good compliance, it would reduce the peak infections in early May by 70 to 80 percent, but still 1 million would require hospitalisation and critical care. He further hypothesised If the lockdown was not imposed the number of critical patients would have reached 5-6 million.[163]

The CDDEP released another report on 20 April, again in collaboration with researchers from Johns Hopkins University and Princeton University. This report discussed the "potential impact of the lockdown". The study concluded that the lockdown would help in significantly slowing the spread of COVID-19 in the country. It said that the lockdown would buy the government critical precursory time to expand COVID-19 healthcare infrastructure, by keeping the hospitalisation rates in check and preventing the overwhelming of existing healthcare facilities. The study also said that the lockdown measures like physical distancing, ban on social gatherings, and movement restrictions would further delay and reduce the peak of infections and hospitalisation.[164]

Economist Jean Drèze stated that the lockdown had been "almost a death sentence" for the underprivileged of the country, in an interview with News18. He went on to say, "The policies are made or influenced by a class of people who pay little attention to the consequences for the underprivileged".[165]

See also

[edit]
Wikiquote has quotations related to COVID-19 lockdown in India.

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ There was some confusion regarding the involvement of the Johns Hopkins University as the University said that the use of its logo was unauthorised. However, the University's International Health Twitter handle reaffirmed its association with the CDDEP and the report. The Princeton University also acknowledged the affiliation of its researchers and pointed out that the work will be submitted to peer review.[162]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Gettleman, Jeffrey; Schultz, Kai (24 March 2020). "Modi Orders 3-Week Total Lockdown for All 1.3 Billion Indians". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 7 May 2020. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
  2. ^ a b "COVID-19: Lockdown across India, in line with WHO guidance". UN News. 22 March 2020. Archived from the original on 25 March 2020. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
  3. ^ Regan, Helen; Mitra, Esha; Gupta, Swati. "India places millions under lockdown to fight coronavirus". CNN. Archived from the original on 23 March 2020. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
  4. ^ "India racked by greatest exodus since partition due to coronavirus". The Guardian. 30 March 2020. Archived from the original on 26 July 2024. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  5. ^ a b Ramesh, Sandhya (14 April 2020). "R0 data shows India's coronavirus infection rate has slowed, gives lockdown a thumbs up". ThePrint. Archived from the original on 19 April 2020. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
  6. ^ a b Gupta, Shekhar (18 April 2020). "Covid hasn't gone viral in India yet, but some in the world & at home can't accept the truth". ThePrint. Archived from the original on 18 April 2020. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
  7. ^ "Close schools, all religious activities, extend lockdown: States tell Centre". India Today. 7 April 2020. Archived from the original on 7 April 2020. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  8. ^ Anuja (10 April 2020). "Taking cues from Odisha, Punjab extends lockdown till 1 May". Livemint. Archived from the original on 11 April 2020. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  9. ^ a b "Covid-19: Karnataka extends lockdown by 2 weeks, throws in some relaxations". HT Digital Streams Ltd. 11 April 2020. Archived from the original on 16 April 2020. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
  10. ^ a b "Coronavirus India Live Updates: Telangana follows Maha and West Bengal, extends lockdown till April 30". Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. 12 April 2020. Archived from the original on 15 April 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  11. ^ a b "PM Modi announces extension of lockdown till 3 May". Livemint. 14 April 2020. Archived from the original on 9 May 2020. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  12. ^ "2 More Weeks Of Lockdown Starting May 4". NDTV.com. Archived from the original on 2 May 2020. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  13. ^ "Centre extends nationwide lockdown till May 31, new guidelines issued". Tribuneindia News Service. 17 May 2020. Archived from the original on 22 May 2020. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  14. ^ a b Sharma, Neeta (30 May 2020). Ghosh, Deepshikha (ed.). ""Unlock1": Malls, Restaurants, Places Of Worship To Reopen June 8". NDTV. Archived from the original on 30 May 2020. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  15. ^ "Lockdown phase over, says Narendra Modi". The Hindu. 17 June 2020. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 4 January 2023. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  16. ^ a b Tiwary, Deeptiman (30 June 2020). "Unlock 2: More flights, trains, but no schools and colleges till July 31". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 30 June 2020. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  17. ^ a b "Unlock 3.0 guidelines: Here is what's allowed, what's not". The Indian Express. 30 July 2020. Archived from the original on 31 July 2020. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
  18. ^ "Unlock 4.0: Schools to reopen for Classes 9 to 12 from 21 Sep on voluntary basis; Centre issues guidelines". Firstpost. 9 September 2020. Archived from the original on 2 October 2020. Retrieved 30 September 2020.
  19. ^ "Unlock 5.0 Guideline: जानें- ट्रेन, सिनेमा हॉल, स्कूल के साथ क्या-क्या खुलने के हैं आसार". Dainik Jagran (in Hindi). Archived from the original on 1 October 2020. Retrieved 30 September 2020.
  20. ^ "Unlock 6.0 Guidelines: आज से देश में शुरू हुआ 'अनलॉक 6.0', जानें क्या खुलेगा और क्या अब भी रहेगा बंद..." India News, Breaking News, Entertainment News | India.com (in Hindi). Archived from the original on 1 November 2020. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
  21. ^ "Unlock 7.0 Guidelines In Hindi: 1 दिसंबर से क्या खुलेगा क्या बंद रहेगा, अनलॉक 7 के दिशानिर्देश पढ़ें". Career India (in Hindi). 25 November 2020. Archived from the original on 17 January 2021. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  22. ^ Staff Writer (16 April 2021). "UP govt imposes Sunday lockdown in the state. Details here". mint. Archived from the original on 16 April 2021. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
  23. ^ Shreya (15 April 2021). "Covid-19 spike: Kejriwal announces weekend curfew in Delhi". oneindia. Archived from the original on 16 April 2021. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
  24. ^ Ward, Alex (24 March 2020). "India's coronavirus lockdown and its looming crisis, explained". Vox. Archived from the original on 28 March 2020. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
  25. ^ "PM Modi calls for 'Janata curfew' on March 22 from 7 am -9 pm". BusinessLine. 19 March 2020. Archived from the original on 20 March 2020. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
  26. ^ "India's 1.3bn population told to stay at home". BBC News. 25 March 2020. Archived from the original on 31 March 2020. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
  27. ^ "21-day lockdown in entire India to fight coronavirus, announces PM Narendra Modi". India Today. 24 March 2020. Archived from the original on 24 March 2020. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
  28. ^ a b "PM calls for complete lockdown of entire nation for 21 days". Press Information Bureau. Archived from the original on 25 March 2020. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
  29. ^ "UP Officials Seen With Crowd Amid 'Janata Curfew'. Then, A Clarification". NDTV.com. Archived from the original on 13 June 2020. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  30. ^ "What is Janata Curfew: A curfew of the people, by the people, for the people to fight coronavirus". India Today. 19 March 2020. Archived from the original on 19 March 2020. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
  31. ^ a b "PM Modi Speech on Coronavirus Highlights: Janata Curfew on Sunday, Avoid Panic Buying". News18. Archived from the original on 19 March 2020. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
  32. ^ a b c "Guidelines.pdf" (PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 March 2020. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
  33. ^ Tripathi, Rahul (25 March 2020). "India 21-day Lockdown: What is exempted, what is not". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 13 April 2020. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
  34. ^ "MHA extend lockdown period" (PDF). mha.gov.in. Archived (PDF) from the original on 6 May 2020. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  35. ^ "Unlock 2.0 guidelines: Full list of what is allowed, and what is not". The Indian Express. 30 June 2020. Archived from the original on 1 July 2020. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  36. ^ Sandhi, Kamaljit Kaur (1 May 2020). "Lockdown extended: Liquor shops to open in all zones with these riders". India Today. Archived from the original on 23 July 2020. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  37. ^ Shekhar, Himanshu (4 May 2020). "Social distancing what? Long queues, chaos as liquor shops reopen across country". indiatvnews.com. Archived from the original on 23 July 2020. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  38. ^ "Long queues outside liquor shops, social distancing goes for a toss as govt relaxes lockdown". India Today. 4 May 2020. Archived from the original on 26 July 2024. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  39. ^ Parab, Bhagwan (6 May 2020). "Mumbai shuts non-essential, liquor shops after lockdown norms flouted". Deccan Chronicle. Archived from the original on 23 July 2020. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  40. ^ "'Special Corona Fee' on liquor in Delhi". The Hindu. 5 May 2020. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 23 July 2020. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  41. ^ "Liquor prices hiked in Andhra Pradesh by 75%". Livemint. 5 May 2020. Archived from the original on 23 July 2020. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  42. ^ "TASMAC increases prices of liquor". The Hindu. 6 May 2020. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 24 July 2020. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  43. ^ "e-token system launched to buy liquor". The Hindu. 8 May 2020. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 26 July 2024. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  44. ^ "Home delivery of liquor: State-wise official website links to order online". timesnownews.com. 11 May 2020. Archived from the original on 23 July 2020. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  45. ^ Singh, Karan Deep; Goel, Vindu; Kumar, Hari; Gettleman, Jeffrey (25 March 2020). "India, Day 1: World's Largest Coronavirus Lockdown Begins". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  46. ^ Covid-19: People flock to wholesale markets in UP, West Bengal amidst lock down, 24 March 2020, archived from the original on 18 April 2020, retrieved 29 March 2020 – via ANI
  47. ^ a b c "Day 1 of coronavirus lockdown: India registers 101 new cases, 3 deaths; Govt says working to deliver essential services". India Today. 25 March 2020. Archived from the original on 26 March 2020. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  48. ^ "Rs 2.3 trillion for 1.3 billion: Govt to announce stimulus package to fight coronavirus, says report". India Today. 25 March 2020. Archived from the original on 26 March 2020. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  49. ^ a b "FM Nirmala Sitharaman announces Rs 1.7 lakh crore relief package for poor". The Economic Times. 27 March 2020. Archived from the original on 14 April 2020. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  50. ^ Choudhury, Saheli Roy (26 March 2020). "India announces $22.5 billion stimulus package to help those affected by the lockdown". CNBC. Archived from the original on 29 March 2020. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  51. ^ "RBI cuts rates, allows moratorium on auto, home loan EMIs". The Hindu. 27 March 2020. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 9 April 2020. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
  52. ^ Nandi, Tamal (27 March 2020). "How Indian Railways continuing its freight operations post lockdown". Livemint. Archived from the original on 30 March 2020. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  53. ^ Nandi, Shreya (29 March 2020). "Covid-19: Railways resumes parcel trains to transport essential goods". Livemint. Archived from the original on 30 March 2020. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  54. ^ "Coronavirus Outbreak: Indian Railways converts non-AC train coach into isolation ward on trial basis". Firstpost. 28 March 2020. Archived from the original on 13 April 2020. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  55. ^ Ramaprasad, Hema (6 April 2020). "India has closed its railways for the first time in 167 years. Now trains are being turned into hospitals". CNN. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  56. ^ "Looking back at anger". The Hindu. 6 January 2002. Archived from the original on 6 March 2005. Retrieved 11 February 2012.
  57. ^ "PM Modi urges countrymen to dispel the darkness spread by coronavirus by lighting a candle on April 5". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 26 July 2024. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
  58. ^ The Hindu Net Desk (3 April 2020). "Coronavirus | Switch off all lights and light lamps at 9 pm on 5 April, says PM Modi". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 26 July 2024. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
  59. ^ "Odisha becomes first state to extend Covid-19 lockdown; sets April 30 as new date". Hindustan Times. 9 April 2020. Archived from the original on 27 April 2020. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
  60. ^ "Coronavirus: Punjab govt extends lockdown till May 1". India Today. 10 April 2020. Archived from the original on 26 July 2024. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  61. ^ "Maharashtra Lockdown at Least Till April 30, Says Uddhav Thackeray". NDTV. 11 April 2020. Archived from the original on 11 April 2020. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  62. ^ Dutta, Prabhash K. (14 April 2020). "In coronavirus lockdown extension, Modi wields stick, offers carrot on exit route". India Today. Archived from the original on 14 April 2020. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  63. ^ "India coronavirus: All major cities named Covid-19 'red zone' hotspots". BBC. 16 April 2020. Archived from the original on 18 April 2020. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  64. ^ "India to allow farmers back to work amid lockdown". BBC News. 15 April 2020. Archived from the original on 28 April 2020. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
  65. ^ Aleem, Zeeshan (25 April 2020). "India takes a small step toward relaxing its strict lockdown". Vox. Archived from the original on 25 April 2020. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  66. ^ "MHA allows movement of migrants, tourists, students stranded at various places". Livemint. 29 April 2020. Archived from the original on 12 February 2023. Retrieved 29 April 2020.
  67. ^ "Lockdown extended by 2 weeks, India split into red, green and orange zones". The Economic Times. 1 May 2020. Archived from the original on 2 May 2020. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  68. ^ "Lockdown extended till May 17: Read MHA guideline". News World24. 1 May 2020. Archived from the original on 26 May 2020. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  69. ^ Thacker, Teena (1 May 2020). "Centre issues state-wise division of Covid-19 red, orange & green zones". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 12 May 2020. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  70. ^ "Red, Orange, Green Zone district-wise list for coronavirus lockdown: Complete classification of areas in India". India Today. 1 May 2020. Archived from the original on 14 December 2021. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  71. ^ "Coronavirus lockdown extended till 31 May, says NDMA". LiveMint. 17 May 2020. Archived from the original on 4 June 2020. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  72. ^ "Lockdown 4.0 guidelines | What's allowed and what's not?". The Hindu. 17 May 2020. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 18 May 2020. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  73. ^ "Lockdown 4.0 guidelines: Centre extends nationwide lockdown till May 31 with considerable relaxations". The Economic Times. 18 May 2020. Archived from the original on 26 July 2024. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  74. ^ a b "Lockdown 5.0 guidelines: What's allowed, what's not". The Indian Express. 30 May 2020. Archived from the original on 5 June 2020. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  75. ^ "Govt releases lockdown 5.0 guidelines: Here's what's allowed and what's not". The Economic Times. 30 May 2020. Archived from the original on 26 July 2024. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  76. ^ "India unlock 3.0 guidelines: Interstate travel rules in the country". Times Now. 1 August 2020. Archived from the original on 2 August 2020. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
  77. ^ a b c d e "Ministry of Home Affairs Unlock 4.0 official guidelines on their official website" (PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs. Archived (PDF) from the original on 31 August 2020. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  78. ^ a b c "Ministry of Home Affairs Unlock 5.0 official guidelines on their official website" (PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs. Archived (PDF) from the original on 15 October 2020. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
  79. ^ "MHA issues new Guidelines for Re-opening" (PDF). PIB Delhi. 30 September 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2 November 2020. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
  80. ^ "MHA Order Dt, 27.10.2020 reg extension of guidelines of reopening up to 30.11.2020" (PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs, GoI. 27 October 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 November 2020. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  81. ^ "MHA DO Dt. 27.10.2020 to all Chief Secretaries reg extension of reopening up to 30.11.2020" (PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs, GoI. 27 October 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 November 2020. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  82. ^ "MHA DO Dt. 27.10.2020 to all Administrators reg extension of reopening up to 30.11.2020" (PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs, GoI. 27 October 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 November 2020. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  83. ^ "Unlock 6.0 latest guidelines: What do they mean for schools, colleges, other educational institutions". DNA India. 29 October 2020. Archived from the original on 4 November 2020. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
  84. ^ "Unlock 6.0 guidelines: Which states have allowed more relaxations in Nov?". The Indian Express. 6 November 2020. Archived from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
  85. ^ Mahamulkar, Sujit (30 December 2020). "Lockdown Extension in Maharashtra: Maharashtra extends lockdown till January 31 | Mumbai News - Times of India". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 30 December 2020. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  86. ^ "India extends ban on scheduled international flights till January 31". www.timesnownews.com. 30 December 2020. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  87. ^ Shrivastava, Aditi. "Zomato, Swiggy ordered to shut down in several states". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 27 March 2020. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  88. ^ Priyali Sur; Ben Westcott. "Indian migrant workers face tough choice amid world's largest lockdown". CNN. Archived from the original on 6 April 2020. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
  89. ^ "Coronavirus effect: India's electricity demand falls to 5-month low after lockdown". India Today. 27 March 2020. Archived from the original on 27 March 2020. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
  90. ^ Dutta, Prabhash (16 April 2020). "Not love for liquor but money, why states want alcohol to flow during coronavirus lockdown". Living Media India Ltd. Archived from the original on 16 April 2020. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  91. ^ Kumar, Ravi Prakash (2 May 2020). "Liquor shops in India to open from Monday but conditions apply". livemint.com. Archived from the original on 25 May 2020. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  92. ^ Elsa, Evangeline (15 April 2020). "The human cost of India's coronavirus lockdown: Deaths by hunger, starvation, suicide and more". Gulf News. Archived from the original on 6 September 2020. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
  93. ^ "Suicide leading cause for over 300 lockdown deaths in India, says study". The Economic Times. 5 May 2020. Archived from the original on 6 September 2020. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
  94. ^ Gettleman, Jeffrey; Raj, Suhasini; Kumar, Hari (8 May 2020). "As India Reopens, Deadly Accidents Break Out". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 31 July 2020. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
  95. ^ Inamdar, Nadeem (27 March 2020). "Covid-19: Probe ordered into ambulance driver's death after assault by policeman". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 18 May 2020. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
  96. ^ Srivastava, Piyush (19 April 2020). "'Beaten' for stepping out for biscuits, UP teen dies". The Telegraph. Kolkota. Archived from the original on 11 May 2020. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
  97. ^ Singh, Anuraag (20 April 2020). "Farmer beaten by cops amid lockdown dies in Madhya Pradesh, six officers suspended, SP transferred". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 24 April 2020. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
  98. ^ "Two more gas tragedy victims die of COVID-19 in Bhopal; toll reaches seven". The New Indian Express. 21 April 2020. Archived from the original on 14 May 2020. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
  99. ^ Vij, Shivam (13 April 2020). "More than 300 Indians have died of the coronavirus, and nearly 200 of the lockdown". ThePrint. Archived from the original on 6 September 2020. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
  100. ^ Agarwal, Kabir (10 May 2020). "Not Just the Aurangabad Accident, 383 People Have Died Due to the Punitive Lockdown". The Wire. Archived from the original on 23 August 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  101. ^ "Addressing pre-Covid issues to be crucial for India's recovery". Hindustan Times. 6 June 2020. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  102. ^ "Infographic: India's GDP Collapses In Face of Pandemic". Statista Infographics. Archived from the original on 13 September 2020. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  103. ^ a b Paliwal, Aishwarya (1 September 2020). "At -23.9%, India's first-quarter GDP data worst in history: A look at past numbers". India Today. Archived from the original on 3 September 2020. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  104. ^ "Surviving Debt and Survival Debt in Times of Lockdown". Economic and Political Weekly. 57 (1). 1 January 2022. Archived from the original on 28 April 2022. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  105. ^ Slater, Joanna; Masih, Niha (28 March 2020). "In India, the world's biggest lockdown has forced migrants to walk hundreds of miles home". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 1 September 2020. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
  106. ^ Singh, Kanika (6 April 2020). "Coronavirus outbreak: Ensuring water, hygiene facilities for migrant labourers can safeguard millions stranded during shutdown". Firstpost. Archived from the original on 2 September 2020. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  107. ^ Abi-Habib, Maria; Yasir, Sameer (29 March 2020). "India's Coronavirus Lockdown Leaves Vast Numbers Stranded and Hungry". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 30 August 2020. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
  108. ^ Jebaraj, Priscilla (8 May 2020). "Inter-State ration card portability usage very low: Food Minister". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 24 July 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
  109. ^ Kumar Gunjan, Rounak (15 April 2020). "Impatient, Starving, Angry: As India Extends Lockdown, Stranded Migrant Workers Emerge as Crisis in Making". News18. Archived from the original on 24 July 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
  110. ^ Jaiswal, Pankaj (26 March 2020). "Coronavirus update: A long walk home on empty stomachs for masked migrants". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 6 September 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
  111. ^ Babu, Venkatesha; Saini, Sachin; Swaroop, Vijay (8 May 2020). "Across the country, migrants still forced to walk thousands of miles". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 22 August 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
  112. ^ Elsa, Evangeline (21 April 2020). "Coronavirus lockdown: 12-year-old Indian migrant worker walks 100 km, dies just 11km away from home". Gulf News. Archived from the original on 24 July 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
  113. ^ Warsi, Zeba (7 May 2020). "42 Migrant Workers Died in Road Accidents While Trying to Return Home during Lockdown: Report". News18. Archived from the original on 24 July 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
  114. ^ Pandey, Devesh K. (29 March 2020). "Coronavirus | Migrant workers to be stopped, quarantined at borders, says Centre". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 24 July 2020. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
  115. ^ Dubey, Vivek (29 March 2020). "Coronavirus crisis: Landlords can't ask rent from students, workers for 1 month". Business Today. Archived from the original on 24 July 2020. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  116. ^ Chaturvedi, Arpan (1 April 2020). "Government Effort To Restrain Media Coverage Of Pandemic Met With Supreme Court Caution". BloombergQuint. Archived from the original on 24 July 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  117. ^ Rajalakshmi, T. K. (1 April 2020). "Centre blames media 'fake news' for mass migration during lockdown". The Hindu Frontline. Archived from the original on 9 August 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  118. ^ Jha, Somesh (29 March 2020). "Fighting Covid-19: After the long walk, jobless migrants head home by bus". Business Standard India. Archived from the original on 17 August 2020. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
  119. ^ Gunasekar, Arvind (30 April 2020). "Buses Not Feasible For Moving Migrants, States Appeal To Centre: Sources". NDTV. Archived from the original on 24 July 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
  120. ^ Bhargava, Yuthika (1 May 2020). "Coronavirus lockdown | Railways to run 'Shramik Special' trains to move migrant workers, other stranded persons". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 18 August 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
  121. ^ Anuja; Varma, Gyan (4 May 2020). "Congress' move to sponsor rail fare for migrants sparks political tussle". Livemint. Archived from the original on 24 July 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
  122. ^ "Migrants To Not Pay For Tickets Of Shramik Trains: Railway Board Chairman". NDTV.com. Archived from the original on 9 June 2020. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  123. ^ "'Migrants Don't Have to Pay for Shramik Trains,' Clarify Railways". The Quint. 29 May 2020. Archived from the original on 30 May 2020. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  124. ^ Venkatraman, Tanushree; Chauhan, Saurabh; Dey, Sanjoy; Mishra, Ritesh (16 May 2020). "In long walk back home, migrants battle hunger, scourge of Covid-19". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 6 September 2020. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  125. ^ "AP PHOTOS: An Army of Indian Migrant Workers Heads Home". The New York Times. 16 May 2020. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 6 September 2020. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  126. ^ Rajagopal, Krishnadas (26 May 2020). "Supreme Court orders Centre and States to immediately provide transport, food and shelter free of cost to stranded migrant workers". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 24 July 2020. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
  127. ^ Hussain, Siraj (29 March 2020). "COVID-19 Border Lockdown: How Precariously Placed are Our Food Supply Chains?". The Wire. Archived from the original on 12 April 2020. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  128. ^ "India's Food Supply Chain Frays as People Stay Home". 8 April 2020. Archived from the original on 14 May 2020. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
  129. ^ "India Unveils $22.6 Billion Stimulus Plan to Ease Virus Pain". Bloomberg. 26 March 2020. Archived from the original on 7 August 2020. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
  130. ^ Bhardwaj, Zeba Siddiqui (10 April 2020). "India's coronavirus relief plan could leave millions without food aid, activists say". Reuters. Archived from the original on 24 July 2020. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  131. ^ "Coronavirus | Centre files report on migrant workers". The Hindu. 7 April 2020. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 8 April 2020. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
  132. ^ "India's modi announces $266 bln economic package after coronavirus hit". Reuters. 12 May 2020. Archived from the original on 24 July 2020. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
  133. ^ "Lockdown makes Ganga water significantly cleaner". LiveMint. 4 April 2020. Archived from the original on 13 August 2021. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  134. ^ Naqvi, Haider; Kumar, Sudhir (4 April 2020). "Lockdown does what decades of schemes couldn't: Clean Ganga". HT Digital Streams Ltd. Archived from the original on 11 April 2021. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  135. ^ Mandyam, Nithya (15 April 2020). "Karnataka: Frothing reduces, Vrishabhavathi water crystal clear after decades". Bennett, Coleman and Company Ltd. Archived from the original on 19 April 2020. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  136. ^ "India's coronavirus lockdown reveals fresh air, cleaner rivers". Living Media India Ltd. 22 April 2020. Archived from the original on 11 April 2021. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  137. ^ Babu, Nikhil (14 April 2020). "Yamuna cleaner due to lockdown". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 11 April 2021. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  138. ^ "The silver lining: air pollution dips amid the lockdown". Retrieved 2 May 2020.[permanent dead link‍]
  139. ^ "People throng vegetable market despite lockdown". The Hindu. 25 March 2020. Archived from the original on 29 March 2020. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  140. ^ "Karimnagar: Minister unhappy over people not following social distancing norms". Telangana Today. Archived from the original on 29 March 2020. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  141. ^ Rizvi, Sumaira (28 March 2020). "Clapping to slapping – India did everything other than social distancing this week". ThePrint. Archived from the original on 29 March 2020. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  142. ^ "'I was extremely hurt...': Key highlights of PM Modi's Mann ki Baat address". Hindustan Times. 29 March 2020. Archived from the original on 29 March 2020. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  143. ^ "Lockdown violation: 8 arrested in Ayodhya, over 150 booked in Hardoi for assembling in mosques". Hindustan Times. 27 March 2020. Archived from the original on 6 April 2020. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
  144. ^ "Defying lockdown, devotees in Bengal assemble at temples on Ram Navami". The Hindu. 2 April 2020. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 9 April 2020. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
  145. ^ "Devotees assemble in temples on Ram Navami in Bengal defying lockdown". India Today. 2 April 2020. Archived from the original on 2 April 2020. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  146. ^ "12 Tabligi Jamaat Members from Nepal Booked for Defying Lockdown Orders in UP's Muzaffarnagar". News18. 5 April 2020. Archived from the original on 9 April 2020. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
  147. ^ "Andhra pastor arrested for defying lockdown, conducting Mass with 150 people". Business Standard India. 5 April 2020. Archived from the original on 9 April 2020. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
  148. ^ Sagar Kulkarni (3 April 2020). "India would have seen 31,000 coronavirus cases without lockdown: Researches". Deccan Herald. Archived from the original on 20 May 2020. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  149. ^ "India implements strictest lockdown in the world, lags in testing: Expert". 11 April 2020. Archived from the original on 26 July 2024. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  150. ^ "Study reveals India's response to coronavirus most stringent". 11 April 2020. Archived from the original on 4 May 2020. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  151. ^ Ravi, Shamika (25 April 2020). "Active cases in India as of April 25 (Brookings Institution India)". Archived from the original on 14 January 2021. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  152. ^ a b c "Press Information Bureau". pib.gov.in. Archived from the original on 24 July 2020. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  153. ^ "At least 14-29 lakh Covid cases averted due to early lockdown: Govt". The Indian Express. 22 May 2020. Archived from the original on 31 May 2020. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  154. ^ "No. of COVID-19 cases averted due to lockdown is in 14-29 lakh range, 37000-78000 lives saved: Govt". Business Insider. Archived from the original on 1 June 2020. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  155. ^ "Lockdowns alone won't eliminate coronavirus: WHO to India". India Today. 26 March 2020. Archived from the original on 27 March 2020. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  156. ^ "'Lockdown in India was early, far-sighted and courageous': WHO envoy - india news". Hindustan Times. 2 April 2020. Archived from the original on 5 April 2020. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  157. ^ "49-day lockdown necessary to stop coronavirus resurgence in India: Study". Livemint. 29 March 2020. Archived from the original on 12 April 2020. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  158. ^ "The hard choices covid policymakers face". The Economist. 4 April 2020. ISSN 0013-0613. Archived from the original on 17 June 2020. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
  159. ^ "India may see 25 crore COVID-19 cases in next 3 months: Report". Outlook India. Archived from the original on 29 March 2020. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  160. ^ Dharur, Suresh; Srinivasan, Venkataraghavan (29 March 2020). "The bad, the worse and the worst: Where India is headed on COVID graph". The Federal. Archived from the original on 29 March 2020. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  161. ^ "COVID-19 Modeling with IndiaSIM". Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics & Policy (CDDEP). 9 March 2020. Archived from the original on 14 April 2020. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
  162. ^ "Johns Hopkins University ties itself in knots over alarmist economist". Outlook. 29 March 2020. Archived from the original on 29 March 2020. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  163. ^ Laxminarayan, Ramanan (27 March 2020). "Opinion | What India Needs to Fight the Virus". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 26 July 2024. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  164. ^ "COVID-19 in India: Potential Impact of the Lockdown and Other Longer-Term Policies". Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics & Policy (CDDEP). 20 April 2020. Archived from the original on 29 May 2020. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  165. ^ Nanda, Rupashree (1 May 2020). "Lockdown & Labour Pain: The Demand for MNREGA Work Has Never Been so Strong, Says Economist Jean Dreze". News18. Archived from the original on 24 July 2020. Retrieved 23 May 2020.