Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu extend lockdown till May 31

Mumbai, May 17

Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu both extended lockdowns in their states till May 31, officials from the two governments said on Sunday.

Maharashtra Chief Secretary Ajoy Mehta issued orders to extend lockdown in the country’s most affected state.

“The calibrated phase-wise relaxation/lifting of lockdown orders will be notified in due course,” the order said. The current lockdown order ends today.

Likewise, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami announced lockdown would continue in his state until May 31, although with more relaxations. 

The most prominent of those restrictions is the restoration of intra-district public transport services in 25 districts of the state after nearly two months.

In 12 of the states remaining districts, including capital Chennai—the city that has the highest number of cases in the state—there will be no change in restrictions from the third phase of lockdown.

Citing consultations with top officials, public health and medical experts, Palaniswami said said the lockdown is extended till May 31 and the curbs including bar on functioning of educational institutions, public entry into religious places and relaxations already in force will continue throughout the state.

Among the districts that will see easing of restrictions are Coimbatore, Salem, Erode, Tirupur, Namakkal and Karur, where people could use public transport with an e-pass,” (permission for travel), he said.

Public transport has been suspended in Tamil Nadu since March 24.

The development comes as Maharashtra’s COVID-19 infections continue to rise alarmingly. With 30,706 coronavirus infections, Maharashtra accounts for more than a quarter of the country’s 90,927 infections, and accounts for almost 40 per cent of India’s death tally.

Tamil Nadu accounts has the third highest number of coronavirus cases in the country at 10,585 infections. Its death toll stands at 74.

Three states—Maharashtra, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu—account for 57 per cent of India’s COVID-19 cases. — Agencies