Centre Extends Nationwide Lockdown Till 31 May; Guidelines To Be Announced Shortly

The COVID-19 Pandemic-triggered nationwide lockdown has been extended until 31 May by the central government, India Today reported on Sunday (17 May).

While the official announcement from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) along with fresh guidelines is expected shortly, the India Today report suggested several new relaxations could be provided in lockdown 4.0 which is set to begin from Monday.

National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), in a letter, also asked the Government of India to extend the lockdown in the country.

Whereas journalist Vijaita Singh tweeted that Cabinet Secretary is scheduled to meet the chief secretaries of states at 9:00pm today via video conferencing. Guidelines for the next phase of the coronavirus lockdown will be on agenda, she tweeted.

Earlier on 12 May, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address to the nation said that Lockdown 4.0 which will be implemented from 18 May will be very different from the measures which were put in place in the three previous lockdowns.

"Corona will be with us for a long time but our lives cannot revolve around it. We will wear masks, we will follow do gaj doori (six-foot distance), but we won't let it derail our targets," he stressed.

The Prime Minister had held a video conference with all the Chief Ministers on 11 May and states like Karnataka called for lifting restricting in non-containment areas while continuing to impose restrictions in containment zones. The state also called for the removal of Red, Orange and Green zones.