On Sunday, Union Home Ministry extended the lockdown for another two weeks till May 31 to contain the spread of Covid-19. While the detailed guidelines on easing of restrictions were awaited, officials sources said the centre is likely to allow public transport and reopening of restaurants and shopping malls subject to certain conditions.

NDMA, the apex disaster management body, in its recommendations to home ministry said:

“Considering the fact that lockdown measures need to be implemented for a further period in the country to contain the spread of COVID 19, NDMA in exercise of its powers under the DM act, 2005, directs the ministeries, departments of GOI, States governments and authorities to continue the lockdown measures upto May 31...”

NDMA has asked the National Executive Council (NEC) to amend the guidelines to open up economic activities. 

Officials sources added that the guidelines may ease plying of auto-rickshaws and cab aggregators, with up to 1-2 passengers. The new guidelines are based on suggestions from states that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had sought during his fifth discussion with chief ministers on the pandemic on May 11. 

This is the third extension to the lockdown, which was first imposed from March 25 and then extended from April 15 and May 4. States and Union Territories are expected to get further leeway to define containment zones and allow permitted activities in non-containment zones, said officials.

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