COVID 19 Update: Lockdown Further Extended for Two More Weeks from May 4

Amid the little hopes of lockdown 2.0 getting over, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued an order today under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 of extending the lockdown for two more weeks, with effect from 4th May 2020.

A set of new guidelines has been issued to regulate different activities for the extended lockdown period based on different risk parameters of the districts of the country into Red, Green, and Orange zones.

Elaborating more about the extension, the home ministry said, "A large number of other activities are allowed in the Red Zones. All industrial and construction activities in rural areas, including MNREGA, works, food-processing units, and brick-kilns are permitted."

A few relaxations have been given to the Orange and Green zones as per the new guidelines. For instance, in Orange Zones, inter-district movement of vehicles and individuals will be allowed for some of the permitted activities. As per MHA, a maximum of 2 passengers will be allowed in the four-wheelers besides the driver. While talking about two-wheelers, the guidelines say that pillion riding will be allowed on two-wheelers. Moreover, in Orange Zones, taxis and cab aggregators will be permitted with one driver and two passengers.

The MHA also clarified that a limited number of activities will remain prohibited across India, irrespective of the zone, including travel by air, rail, metro, and inter-State movement by road as well as running of schools, colleges, other educational and training/coaching centers.