Table 1.
The phases of lockdowns and phased reopening (“Unlock” phases) in India (March-October)
| Phase | Time period | Interventions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lockdown-I (LD-1) | March 25-April 14 | Completed lockdown of nonessential services; All public transport suspended, including railways. | Face coverings/masks were made compulsory in public places, workplaces, and during transport. Food security measures and direct cash transfers to the poor. Demarcation of containment and buffer zones. Intensive contact tracing, house-to-house surveillance, and other clinical interventions based on zone. |
| Lockdown-II (LD-2) | April 15-May 3 | Extended same measures + classified districts into red (hotspots), orange (some infection), and green (no infection) zones. Agriculture and dairy sector opened partially. Cargo sector opened. Retail shops opened at half strength. | |
| Lockdown-III (LD-3) | May 4-May 17 | Extended same measures + Normal movement permitted in green zones, with buses limited to 50 percent capacity; in orange zones, private and hired vehicles but no public transportation; red zones under lockdown. | |
| Lockdown-IV (LD-4) | May 18-May 31 | Extended same measures + Decentralization of the zoning of districts and demarcation of containment zones. | |
| Unlock-I (UL-1) | June 1-June 30 | Lockdown restrictions only in containment zones, whereas activities were permitted in other zones in a phased manner. Reopening of shopping malls, religious places, hotels, and restaurants. Large gatherings still banned. No restrictions on interstate travel. Night curfew from 9 PM to 5 AM. | |
| Unlock-II (UL-2) | July 1-July 31 | Same as above. + Limited international travel permitted; shops permitted to allow more than five persons at a time. Educational institutions, metros, recreational activities remained closed. | |
| Unlock-III (UL-3) | August 1-August 31 | Same as above. Night curfews removed; gymnasiums and yoga centers reopen; Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu imposed a lockdown for the whole month, whereas West Bengal imposed lockdowns twice a week. | |
| Unlock-IV (UL-4) | September 1-September 30 | Same as above + Metro Rail reopened in a graded manner; Marriage functions with gatherings of up to 50 people and funereal/last rites ceremonies with of up to 20 people permitted; Religious, entertainment, political, sports, academic functions, and gatherings of up to 100 people allowed. | |
| Unlock-V (UL-5) | October 1-October 31 | Same as above + decentralized decision on reopening of educational interventions, cinema halls reopened at 50% capacity; Tourism sector reopened partially. | |
LD = lock down; UL = unlock.