Home Ministry Hints At Considerable Lockdown Relaxation From May 4

The Union Home Ministry also issued guidelines for movement of stranded migrant labourers, students and tourists who want to return home.

New Delhi| New guidelines to combat novel coronavirus which will give significant relaxations to many districts will come into effect from May 4 when the national lockdown is set to expire, the Ministry of Home Affairs said.

The Union Home Ministry also issued guidelines for movement of stranded migrant labourers, students and tourists who want to return home.

New guidelines to fight #COVID19 will come into effect from 4th May, which shall give considerable relaxations to many districts. Details regarding this shall be communicated in the days to come.#Corona Update#StayHomeStaySafe @PMOIndia @HMOIndia @MoHFW_INDIA

— Spokesperson, Ministry of Home Affairs (@PIBHomeAffairs) April 29, 2020

However, sources said this will not apply to those in hotspots or containment zones.

With the novel coronavirus infections rising further, the lockdown could extend beyond May 3 at least in some form in some parts of the nation, becoming “a new normal”, official sources said.

The current lockdown guidelines make no allowance for inter-state movement, but the Central government had kept quiet as states recently moved ahead with arrangements to get back their students and migrant labour.

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However, the latest guidelines make no mention of trains, which were among the modes of transport states had recommended for large-scale movement of migrant workers.

According to sources, the final decision on relaxing lockdown measures will be taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Union Health Ministry said the number of COVID-19 deaths has risen to 1,074 while the number of confirmed infections has climbed past 33,000.