The home ministry spokesperson tweeted, "New guidelines to fight #COVID19 will come into effect from 4th May, which shall give considerable relaxations to many districts. Details regarding this shall be communicated in the days to come,"
The first guideline was were issued on March 24 immediately after the prime minister announced the lockdown for 21 days. On April 14 after accessing the situation along with Chief Ministers of different states the Prime Minister had extended the nationwide lockdown till May 3. Even though the cases are rising in the country, a report by leading daily Hindustan Times reported that the doubling rate of the infection has become 11.3 days. Last week the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had allowed the opening of shops as part of the easing of lockdown restrictions. According to the announcement neighborhood and standalone shops, including those selling garments, mobile phones, hardware, and stationery items have been allowed to open but those located in market places, malls, and COVID-19 hotspot and containment zones, will continue to remain shut till May 3.