India’s national lockdown has been extended by another two weeks until May 31, though with further relaxations and more governing powers delegated to respective state governments, according to new guidelines issued by India’s Ministry of Home Affairs on Sunday, May 17.
According to the guidelines, instead of the central government, the decision to demarcate ‘green’, ‘orange’ and ‘red’ zones depending on the load of Covid-19 cases, will henceforth be decided by the respective state governments.
Furthermore, under the revised relaxed restrictions, interstate movement of goods, trucks and other transportation will be permitted unhindered. Passenger transport by bus will be permitted between states, provided originating and destination states agree to such movement of public transport. However, trains and air services will continue to remain suspended.
The central government has directed that all states must ensure that all types of goods and cargoes should be allowed to move across regions without any restrictions.
The night curfew between 7 pm and 7 am, however, shall continue as earlier, the guidelines state.
All manufacturing and industrial activities have been permitted irrespective of zones except for areas demarcated as ‘containment zones’ which are areas that will remain completely closed with people not allowed to move outside confines of homes and no economic activities allowed.
India’s lockdown was first announced on March 25 for 21 days and extended again on April 5 and subsequently again in early May, to check the spread of Covid-19.