Covid-19: Maharashtra & TN govt extends lockdown till May 31

PTI, May 17, 2020, 1:45 PM IST

Mumbai: Maharashtra government has extended the lockdown in the state till May 31, an official said on Sunday.

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 present lockdown was valid till May 17.

While extending the lockdown, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami announced new relaxations such as 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.