New Delhi/Ahmedabad - Schools, places of worship, shopping malls, cinemas and gyms must remain closed.
Published: Sun 17 May 2020, 6:00 PM
Last updated: Mon 18 May 2020, 8:43 AM
India extended its lockdown to the end of May on Sunday as it reported its biggest single-day jump in cases, but said some sectors would be permitted to open up as its economy takes a hammering.
The lockdown affecting 1.3 billion people - the world's largest - has been in force since late March and has been devastating for India's poor, with millions of migrant workers losing their jobs.
"Lockdown measures to contain the spread of Covid-19 will continue for a period of up to (May 31)," the Home Affairs Ministry said in a statement.
Schools, places of worship, shopping malls, cinemas and gyms must remain closed, the ministry said, adding bans on large gatherings for religious and sporting events would also be extended.
City metro train services and domestic and international air travel will also remain suspended, it said.
Restaurants will now be allowed to operate their kitchens for takeaway services while sports complexes and stadiums are permitted to host events, but without spectators.
The National Disaster Management Authority said the restrictions would be updated "as necessary, keeping in view the need to open up economic activities" in Asia's third-biggest economy while containing the virus.
Further state-based details were expected to be finalised later on Sunday.
The lockdown extension came as India recorded its biggest single-day jump in virus cases with 4,987 new infections in the last 24 hours.
It took the total number of cases to 90,927 with 2,872 deaths.
There were some nationwide relaxations for industry and agriculture last month, while offices this week were allowed to operate with one-third capacity.
The country's massive rail network also re-started on Tuesday with limited services.
India's Union Ministry of Home Affairs gives power to States/UTs to decide Red, Green, Orange zones
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Sunday, while issuing guidelines for Lockdown 4.0, met the demand of almost all States, allowing them to decide Red, Green and Orange zones on their own but as per the parameter of Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry.
"The delineation of Red, Green and Orange zones will be decided by respective States and Union Territory governments after taking into consideration the parameter shared by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare," said the Home Ministry.
According to the MHA, within the Red and Orange zones, containment zones and buffer zones will be demarcated by the district authorities after taking into consideration the guidelines of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
In the containment zone, only essential activities shall be allowed. There shall be restricted perimeter control to ensure that there is no movement of people in and out of these zones except for medical emergency and for maintaining the supply of essential goods and services, added the MHA.
As per the new guidelines, in the containment zone, there shall be intensive contact tracing, house to house surveillance and other clinical interventions as required.
The night curfew movement of individuals shall remain strictly prohibited between 7 pm and 7 am except for essential services.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Sunday issued the order to continue coronavirus-induced lockdown measures till May 31.
Metro rail services to remain prohibited under Lockdown 4
Metro rail services shall continue to remain prohibited throughout the country as the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Sunday issued an order to continue the coronavirus-induced lockdown measures till May 31.
The Metro services will remain completely closed in a bid to contain the spread of coronavirus, which has infected 90,927 people in the country so far, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation said that the metro services will remain closed for commuters till May 31 and said that its helpline services '155370' will not be available.
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