'Lockdown 4' Will Be Different & Have New Rules; You Will Be Informed Before May 18: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi after announcing the special economic package of Rs 20 Lakh Crore, confirmed an extension of the nationwide lockdown.

Image Courtesy: ANI.

New Delhi: On Tuesday, PM Narendra Modi addressed the nation over the coronavirus crisis in India and also talked about the 'Lockdown 4'. The Prime Minister was expected to talk about what lies ahead in terms of the coronavirus lockdown - the relaxations to be provided and empowering state governments in deciding the green, orange and red zones. PM began his address by talking about how coronavirus has impacted the entire world by calling the crisis "unprecedented". Addressing the much-anticipated issue of lockdown extension, PM Modi confirmed the Lockdown 4 by saying, "4th phase of lockdown, Lockdown will be in a new form with new rules. Based on the suggestions by states, information related to it will be given to you before 18th May."

So the extension is confirmed, however, the details of the new form and new restrictions have not been divulged. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister, in his address, has announced a special economic package of Rs 20 Lakh Crore which is 10% of India's GDP.

PM Narendra Modi, on Monday, held a video meeting with the Chief Ministers of all states to discuss the strategy ahead with respect to fighting the Covid-19 pandemic in India and lifting the nationwide lockdown. At the Prime Minister's fifth video conference with Chief Ministers, at least five states have supported an extension of the current lockdown. However, they seem to be outnumbered by many state governments who have asked for more relaxations in opening up the economy. The states who supported the lockdown extension were: Punjab, Telangana, Maharashtra, and West Bengal Punjab CM Amarinder Singh asked for the states to be given greater flexibility in micro-planning. "The decision on designating red, orange/yellow and green zones should be left to the states, which are more cognizant of the ground realities", he said.

 Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan took a similar stance as the Punjab CM by saying, "States face different challenges & therefore should be given the freedom to make reasonable changes to the guidelines relating to the lockdown."

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