Coronavirus crisis | Lockdown extended in containment zones till June 30

The ongoing nationwide lockdown scheduled to end on May 31 has been extended on Saturday by the Centre till June 30 in containment zones, as per a statement by the Ministry of Home Affairs. This will be the fifth extension of the lockdown in consecutive succession and will come into effect with the conclusion of Lockdown 4.0 on May 31.

In comparison to the previous lockdowns across the nation, the fifth extension will only extend to the containment zones - areas where a large number of coronavirus positive cases are found. As per the newly released guidelines by the Health Ministry, there will be strict restrictions will be brought into effect in order to curtail movement and stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Home Affairs has stated that activities that were up until now prohibited outside containment zones can reopen in a phased manner. The ministry has also given approval for religious places of worship, hotels, restaurants, hospitality services and shopping malls to be allowed to function from June 8.

As for the reopening of schools, colleges, educational training institutes and coaching institutions, there will be discussions and consultations held with states and union territories. The Home Ministry has also issued a revision in the night curfew timing where the movement of the individuals will now be restricted from 9PM and 5AM across the country.

Below is the Ministry of Home Affairs' official press release on Lockdown 5.0: