New Delhi, May 17: The National Disaster Response Authority extended nationwide lockdown until May 31 on Sunday, a development that comes on a day when the number of COVID-19 infections in the country rose to over 90,000.
The NDMa said in its order that lockdown, first called on March 24 and extended once before, on April 14, has been extended again to contain spread of COVID-19.
New guidelines will be issued soon, NDMA said.
“Considering the fact that the lockdown measures need to be implemented for a further period in the country to contain the spread of COVID-19, NDMA, in exercise of powers under Section 6 (2) (i) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, hereby directs the Ministries/ Departments of Government of India, State Govemments and State Authorities to continue the lockdown measures upto 31 May, 2020,” the order said.
“The Authority further directs NEC to issue modifications in the guidelines as necessary, keeping in view the need to open up economic activities while containing the spread of COVID-19,” the order said.
The development comes on a day when Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu—two of the most affected states in the country—have already announced they were extending lockdown till May 31.
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had announced his intention of extending lockdown in a Facebook LIVE session on Saturday.
India’s COVID-19 tally officially stands at 90,927, with 2,872 deaths — Agencies
