Lockdown Extension: Home Ministry Directs States, UTs To Not Dilute Lockdown Guidelines

Home Ministry issued directions to all states, Union Territories as well as Central Ministries and departments to strictly implement the existing lockdown guidelines without any dilution.

(Image: PTI)

New Delhi: After Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended the nationwide lockdown till May 3, the Home Ministry has issued a directive to all states, Union Territories as well as Central Ministries and departments to strictly implement the existing lockdown guidelines without any dilution. As per the directions issued by Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla, the "restrictions that have been imposed will continue to remain in force". The directive has been issued to Chief Secretaries of all states and UTs, and it mentions that under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, the consolidated guidelines earlier issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs "cannot dilute restrictions imposed." The Prime Minister in his address to the nation on Tuesday had announced that the extension of the lockdown measures till May 3 as a measure to contain the spread of Covid-19 pandemic in India. "In pursuance of this announcement, Government of India has issued directions to all the Ministries/Departments of Government of India, State/Union Territory Governments and Authorities, that the lockdown measures stipulated in the Consolidated Guidelines of MHA, for containment of Covid-19 pandemic in the country, will continue to remain in force up to May 3, 2020," the communication to the states and UTs said. On March 24, The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) had directed all the Central ministries and departments, states and UTs to undertake measures to ensure social distancing as a preventive measure to contain the spread of Covid-19 in the country. The NDMA has again issued similar directions to continue with the same measures for social distancing up to May 3. "In this regard, the guidelines issued by the NEC shall continue to be applicable throughout the country. The authority further directs NEC to issue modifications in the guidelines as necessary, keeping in view the need to contain the spread of Covid-19." (With Agency Inputs) Watch: Mumbai & Surat shock nation after Lockdown 2.0 | Bharat Ki Baat