Governments in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu extend lockdown till May 31

The Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu government on Sunday (May 17) extended the lockdown in the state till May 31.

Maharshtra Chief Secretary Ajoy Mehta has issued an order notifying extension of the lockdown, the official said. “The calibrated phase-wise relaxation/lifting of lockdown orders will be notified in due course,” the order said.

The third phase of the lockdown, which began on May 2, was scheduled to end on May 17. “Lockdown 3.0 ends today. Lockdown 4.0 will come into effect tomorrow and will be valid till May 31. There will be some relaxations in the fourth phase,” he said.

“The green and orange zones will get more relaxations, in terms of starting more services. As of now, only essential services are operational, he said.

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Maharashtra has recorded 30,706 COVID-19 cases of which 22,479 are active. The death toll stood at 1135 as of Sunday, while 7,088 patients have been discharged after recovery.

Maharashtra had on Saturday (May 16) recorded the highest single-day spike in the state so far, with 1,606 new infections being reported that day.

State health minister Rajesh Tope said the doubling rate — the number of days it takes for COVID-19 cases to double — in the state had improved over the past few days due to the enforcement of the lockdown.

The state’s current doubling rate stands at 11.5 days, while Mumbai’s is at 14 days.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami also announced new relaxations such as the resumption of public transportation in 25 districts after a hiatus of nearly two months.

“In 12 other districts, including Chennai, there will be no change in the curbs and will continue as they existed during the third phase of lockdown, set to end on Sunday,” he added.

Citing consultations with top officials, public health, and medical experts, he 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.

Palaniswami announced new relaxation in curbs for 25 districts, including Coimbatore, Salem, Erode, Tirupur, Namakkal and Karur, where people could avail government and private bus transportation for commute within the district and they do not need “TN e-pass,” (permission for travel), he said.

Effective March 24 evening, public transport ceased to operate in the state as part of lockdown measures.

(With inputs from agencies)