New Delhi: As per the order “The NDMA, in exercise of powers under Section 6 (2) (i) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, hereby directs the ministries and departments of the Government of India, state governments and state authorities to continue the lockdown measures up to 31 May, 2020” member secretary G V V Sarma said in a statement.
Flights including Domestic and International, Metro Rail, Schools, Colleges, Swimming pool, Gyms will continue to be suspended during this lockdown period. Tobacco, Liquor will also continue to be banned in public place and there will be penalty if someone spits on the road and fines will be imposed. Cinema halls and malls will also continue to be closed and companies have been directed to ask employees to work from home wherever possible.
During this phase, not more than 20 people will be allowed to take part during any cremation and not more than 50 people will be allowed in any marriage function subject to that area comes under green zone but they still have to maintain the social distancing and wear the mask. Interstate buses can ply on the road only and only if both the states agree.
The authority further directed National Executive Committee (NEC) to “issue modifications in the guidelines if necessary, keeping in view the need to open up economic activities while containing the spread of Covid-19.”
However, some states such as Tamil Nadu, Punjab & Maharashtra have already extended the lockdown till 31 May today before this order was released by NDMA.
In Maharashtra, “There will be some relaxations in the fourth phase,” said Maharashtra Chief Secretary Ajoy Mehta. “The green and orange zones will get more relaxations, in terms of starting more services. As of now only essential services are operational, he added.
On the other hand, Tamil Nadu chief minister announced some new relaxations such as resumption of public transport in 25 districts. However, the remaining 12 districts including Chennai, there would be no change in the restrictions.
In this phase the decisions of declaring Green, Orange and Red zones will be responsibility of the states and they will be penalized if they send the incorrect data to the centre.
Meanwhile, the total number of coronavirus cases in the country recorded were 90,927 as on 17th May while the death toll from Covid-19 has gone up to 2,872. In past 24 hours, 4,987 new cases, the highest one-day jump, and 120 deaths were reported.
