Srinagar May 17 (PTK) The Centre has extended the nationwide lockdown for two more weeks until May 31. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will issue a new set of guidelines pertaining to what is allowed and restricted in different zones.
The new guidelines will be based on the suggestions made by chief ministers of all the states to the home ministry last week.
The lockdown was first imposed for 21 days starting March 25 and then extended on April 15 and later on May 4. The lockdown 3.0 ends today
“In exercise of powers under section 6(2)(i) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, on March 24th 2020, April 14 and May 1, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) directed the Ministries/Departments of Government of India, State Governments and State Authorities to take measures so as to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the country,” the letter from NDMA to the Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla said.
The letter also directed the authorities to “issue modifications in the guidelines” as necessary, keeping in need to open up economic activities while containing the spread of COVID-19.
The Cabinet Secretary will speak to states’ chief secretaries in a video call at 9 PM tonight over the guidelines for Lockdown 4.0, according to official sources.
At least four states already extended their lockdowns till May 31 even before the Centre’s announcement- Punjab, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Mizoram. Karnataka, on the other hand, has extended the lockdown for two more days.(PTK)
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