Lockdown Extended Until May 31
The Indian government has extended the ongoing nationwide lockdown until May 31. According to the National Disaster Management Authority, which issued the lockdown extension order “Considering the fact that the lockdown measures need to be implemented for a further period in the country to contain the spread of COVID-19, NDMA, in exercise of powers under Section 6 (2) (i) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, hereby directs the Ministries/Departments of Government of India, state governments and state authorities to continue lockdown measures up to 31st May, 2020,”
The nationwide lockdown started on March 25 and was later extended twice. It was expected to end on May 17 but the government issued an order extending the lockdown for the full month.
MHA issues order to further extend #lockdownindia till 31.05.2020, to fight #COVID19
New guidelines have permitted considerable relaxations in #Lockdown4 restrictions. States to decide various zones, taking into consideration parameters shared by @MoHFW_INDIA#IndiaFightsCOVID19 pic.twitter.com/AeMHvowaaH— Spokesperson, Ministry of Home Affairs (@PIBHomeAffairs) May 17, 2020
Earlier on Sunday, states such as Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu had extended lockdown in their province.
The total number of coronavirus cases in India has crossed 90,000, while the death toll from COVID-19 is fast approaching the 3,000 mark.
Top 10 activities allowed in the lockdown 4.0
- Interstate movement of passenger vehicles and buses with mutual consent of states and union territories involved.
- Intrastate movement of passenger vehicles and buses as decided by the states and union territories.
- All other activities will be permitted in Green, Orange and Red Zones except those specifically prohibited.
- Interstate and Intrastate movement of medical professionals, nurses, para medical staff, sanitation personnel, ambulances without any restriction.
- All types of goods cargo including empty cargo vehicles.
- E- Commerce activities for non-essential goods are now permitted even in Red Zones.
- Plying of cycle rickshaws and auto rickshaws; running of taxis and cab aggregators; intra-district and inter-district plying of buses and barber shops, spas and saloons.
- Out-Patient Departments (OPDs) and Medical clinics shall be permitted to operate , with social distancing norms and other safety precautions.
- Installing Aarogya Setup application is no longer mandatory for employees, employers have been instructed to ask employees to install app for their own safety on ‘best efforts basis’.
- States and Union territories have been given a free hand in adding more activities to the restricted list.
