Coronavirus Lockdown Extended By Two Weeks Till May 31; Lockdown 4.0 Guidelines Awaited

India has recorded a total of 90,927 COVID-19 cases of which 53,946 are active. The death toll is 2,872, while 34,108 patients have been discharged after recovery. Among the many states, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi, Tamil Nadu appear to be the most affected places.

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A day before India concludes it's third phase of nationwide lockdown, the Central government announced to extend it further by two weeks, from May 17 till May 31. New rules and guidelines based on the suggestions of the states are expected to come later in the day before May 18. Meanwhile, official sources have informed that the Cabinet Secretary will speak to states' chief secretaries at 9 PM tonight over the guidelines for Lockdown 4.0. In an official notice released on Sunday evening, the National Disaster Management Authority stated that lockdown to be continued up to 31st May, 2020. "Considering the fact that the lockdown measured need to be implemented for a further period in the country to contain the spread of COVID-19, NDMA, in excercise of powers under the Ministeries/ Departments of Government of India, State Governments and State Authorities tocontinue the lockdown measure upto May 31, 2020," the official curcular read.

National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) asks Ministries/ Departments of Government of India, State Governments and State Authorities to continue the lockdown measures up to 31st May 2020. pic.twitter.com/tn0i85kVSK

— ANI (@ANI) May 17, 2020

The authorities further directed NEC to issue modified guidelines as necessary, keeping in view the need to open up economic activities while containing the spread of COVID 19. India has recorded a total of 90,927 COVID-19 cases of which 53,946 are active. The death toll is 2,872, while 34,108 patients have been discharged after recovery. Among the many states, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi, Tamil Nadu appear to be the most affected places. Witnessing the continues rise in COVID-19 cases, Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the address to the nation on Tuesday had talked about a fourth phase of the lockdown or Lockdown 4.0. Following his address, several states like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Mizoram, Telangana have extended the statewide lockdown. Telangana was the first state in the country to extend lockdown till May 29. The Mizoram government also extended the lockdown till May 31. Similarly, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Saturday announced that the state will lift the curfew but will continue with the lockdown till May 31 with maximum possible relaxations. Earlier on Sunday afternoon, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu Government on Sunday announced to further extend the lockdown till May 31 in order to contain the spread of novel coronavirus. The national lockdown announced by the prime minister is in place from March 25 in an unprecedented measure to fight against COVID-19. The first phase of lockdown which was followed by 21 days was further extended from April 15 till May 3, and then got into it's third phase from May 4 till May 18.