PANJIM: The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has called for economic contribution of Districts to be taken into consideration while classifying “Lockdown Zones”.
Districts with high economic activity should resume all industrial and business operations, including in “Containment Zones” with highest safety protocols, said CII in its report “A Strategy Note on Resumption of Economic Activities in Industrial Areas” submitted to the government.
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The submission follows the notification issued on May 1 by the Union Government on graded exit from the COVID-19 related lockdown.
“The third phase of lockdown necessitates a focused strategy to minimise economic contraction due to COVID-19, without compromising on the efforts to control the contagion. Prioritising Districts with heavy presence of economic and industrial activities with continued operations accompanied by strictest precautions can help enterprises to remain financially sustainable while averting job losses,” said Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General, CII.
“While the protracted lockdown in the country, necessitated by the rapid spread of COVID-19, has helped in controlling the spread of epidemic and given us time to augment medical capacity, it has also caused enormous stress to the financial sustainability of many businesses,” said CII in a press statement.
In its strategy note, CII requested that the top Districts should be identified based on variables like their contribution to country’s GDP, or presence of industrial estates and clusters or registration of enterprises in a district.
Instead of the current practice of classifying the entire district as a Red Zone, CII has suggested the need for classifying zones as Containment, Orange and Green within an industrial District. Economic activities, in varying degrees of relaxation, should be permitted in all areas of this District but health and safety protocols would differ from zone to zone.
There should be a real time availability of data on all types of zones within the industrial Districts.
The authorities may also provide updated information on Aarogya Setu App, other apps, local newspapers, radio, TV and online channels, stated CII.
The CII strategy note prescribes standard operating procedures for offices, workplaces, factories and establishments prior to resuming operations, after resuming operations, and guidelines for social distancing and visitor management.
