Lockdown extended beyond 4 May, Flights and trains to remain suspended

Lockdown has been extended for two more weeks after 3 May and flights and trains will remain suspended. The Ministry of Home Affairs has just released a press release the extended lockdown. A complete lockdown for areas in the red zone has been suggested while allowing some relaxations for regions in green and orange zones. "Lockdown extended for two more weeks beyond May 4 due to COVID-19 in India," tweeted PIB just now.

As per the release, green zone are areas with zero COVID-19 positive cases, and red zones are the ones with active COVID positive cases, which will be carefully monitored on the basis of doubling rate, the extent of testing, and surveillance. The areas that are neither green nor red will be classified as orange. Schools, colleges, malls and so on will also remain closed until 17 May 2020.

MHA yesterday had yesterday stated after a comprehensive review meeting on the lockdown situation that tremendous gains and improvement in the situation has been witnessed because of the lockdown till now. “To ensure that these gains are not squandered away, full strictness should be observed in the lockdown till 3rd May,” said MHA.

MHA had also said that new guidelines to fight the COVID-19 pandemic will come into effect from 4 May, and considerable relaxations would be given to many districts. “Details regarding this shall be communicated in the days to come,” added the MHA.

The MHA had also allowed the movement of migrant workers, pilgrims, tourists, students and other persons, stranded at different places. Furthermore, it was stated that special trains would be allowed to operate to serve the purpose by the Indian Railways.