The Centre has exempted the operations of the fishing or marine aquaculture industry, including harvesting, sale and marketing activities, from the purview of the ongoing nationwide lockdown.

In a communication to the Chief Secretaries of all states and Union territories, the Union Home Ministry said the decision has been taken by Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla in his capacity as chairperson of the National Executive Committee constituted under the Disaster Management Act.

The communication said, Operations of the fishing (marine) or aquaculture industry, including feeding and maintenance, harvesting, processing, packaging, cold chain, sale and marketing; hatcheries, feed plants, commercial aquaria, movement of fish or shrimp and fish products, fish seed or feed and workers for all these activities were exempted from the lockdown.

However, the Home Ministry said, as specified in the lockdown measures, social distancing and proper hygiene practices must be ensured and it will be the responsibility of the head of the organisation or the establishment to ensure compliance of such norms. It said, the district authorities will ensure strict enforcement.