Lockdown extended for 2 weeks after May 4, schools and colleges stay shut

All agriculture work will be allowed and limited industrial production in zones which have been declared coronavirus safe

The government said on Friday it would extend its nationwide lockdown for another two weeks after May 4, but would allow “considerable relaxations” in lower-risk districts marked as green and orange zones under a plan to fight the coronavirus outbreak.

The home ministry issued new guidelines to regulate life and work in this period, based on districts divided into red ( coronavirus hotspot), green and orange zones. There will be considerable relaxations in the districts falling in the green and orange zones, the government said.

A number of activities will remain prohibited throughout the country, irrespective of the zone. Travel by air, rail, metro and inter-state movement by road will remain banned.

 

Schools and colleges will remain shut but people can travel between districts as they follow social distancing rules, said the ministry. Stand-alone shops will open in residential areas but malls and shopping complexes will stay shut.

All agriculture work will be allowed and limited industrial production in zones declared coronavirus safe. A ban will continue on social, political, cultural and other kinds of gatherings; and, religious places/ places of worship.

Movement of people by air, rail and road will be allowed for purposes as permitted by the home ministry.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 14 had extended the lockdown until at least May 3, saying economic sacrifices were needed to save lives as the number of coronavirus cases exceeded 10,000.

(With inputs from Reuters and PTI)