Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation on Tuesday morning to announce an extension of nationwide lockdown till May 3, 2020. The PM said that India will remain under lockdown until 3 May extending prohibitory measures by another 19 days.
The PM also said that based on extensive scrutiny, after April 20, a conditional withdrawal of the lockdown can be permitted in areas where the spread has either been contained or prevented.
Detailed guidelines on this extension of lockdown will be released on Wednesday.
The government would put greater focus on the hotspots, including the ones where the infection rate might escalate.
PM emphasised that both lives and livelihoods of the people are the primary focus of the government and the states. Therefore, India would reopen its economy while maintaining stringent curbs in COVID-19 hotspots.
PM said that fight against the pandemic will become stricter during the next one week till 20 April. Every region, every district, every state, every police station will be evaluated in terms of implementation of lockdown. In this period, if an area protects itself from coronavirus and does not come out with any new positive case, it will be given partial relief from the lockdown.
Regions, districts, states which are not the hotspots fo COVID-19 and pass this 1-week test may be allowed certain essential activities.
Modi said detailed guidelines will be issued on Wednesday in which will keep in mind the needs of the informal sector and farmers.