In an effort to combat the threat of the 2019 novel coronavirus (officially renamed, “COVID-19”) outbreak, numerous countries have instituted stringent policy measures to prevent the spread of the outbreak. As crucial as such policy measures are in curtailing the rampant spread of this outbreak, business operations of companies, both, inside and outside of India, are facing considerable commercial disruption as a consequence of these measures.

On 11 March 2020, the Indian Central Government, in exercise of powers under India’s Disaster Management Act, 2005 advised all state governments to enforce measures relating to isolation and quarantine including by invocation of powers under the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897, Disaster Management Act, 2005 and other provisions under the Indian Penal Code, 1860. Since then, almost all state governments implemented social distancing measures such as closure of public spaces; closure of offices; significant reduction of presence of staff in Government offices; and postponing all non–essential social and cultural gatherings. Finally, on and from 12:00 am of 24 March 2020, the Government of India imposed a total lockdown over the entire country, including any movement of people  and vehicles, other than essential services. The lockdown has been imposed for 21 days and is expected to be lifted on 15 April 2020.

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