India extends curbs to May 31
India yesterday extended its nationwide coronavirus lockdown for two weeks, as cases exceeded 90,000 and further clashes erupted between police and stranded migrants.
"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.
The National Disaster Management Authority added that the restrictions would be updated "as necessary, keeping in view the need to open up economic activities while containing the spread of COVID-19".
The recommendation for phase 4 of lockdown comes as the country crossed the 90,000-mark in coronavirus cases, recording the biggest single-day jump of 4,987 new patients, bringing the total to 90,927.
India has now reported more cases than China, where the virus first emerged late last year, although its number of deaths so far, at 2,872, is much lower than China's 4,600. The death toll in the United States and some European countries is much higher.
India's current lockdown, introduced on March 25 and extended several times, is due to expire at midnight yesterday.
While announcing the extensions last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said it would come in a "completely different form", with new rules.
"Corona will be with us for a long time but our lives cannot revolve around it. We will wear masks, we will follow doh gaj doori (six-foot distance), but we won't let it derail our targets," he stressed.
According to the guidelines, barbershops, salons, shopping complexes and markets can now open starting today. However, domestic flights, schools/colleges and hotels will continue to remain shut throughout the country. The government has also allowed inter-state movement of passenger vehicles and buses with mutual consent of states. The MHA said states will decide various zones, taking into consideration parameters shared by the Health Ministry.
Sports complexes and stadia can open, however, spectators will not be allowed, the home ministry guidelines read. All places of worship shall also be closed for public and religious congregations are strictly prohibited, the government said.
Earlier yestrday, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu joined Punjab and Mizoram in extending the lockdown till May 31. Telangana has already extended it till May 29. Karnataka became the third southern state to extend the lockdown.
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