New Delhi, May 17 (IANS): The Centre on Sunday extended the nationwide coronavirus lockdown by two more weeks from May 18 while easing curbs in areas with limited virus infection to boost the economy.

The nationwide lockdown 4.0 will end on May 31, said a National Disaster Management (NDMA) order which followed similar announcements already made by Punjab, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.

Considering the fact that the lockdown measures need to be implemented for a further period in the country to contain the spread of novel coronavirus or COVID-19 pandemic, the NDMA directed the ministries, departments of Indian government and states to continue the lockdown measures up to May 31.

The authorities further directed departments concerned to issue modifications in the guidelines as necessary, keeping in view the need to open up economic activities while containing the spread of the deadly COVID-19 virus, it said.

The extension came amid considerable relaxations being introduced in non-containment zones across the country. 

India was first put behind doors on March 25. This is the fourth-time the lockdown has been imposed in the country, though, this time certain curbs have been relaxed in areas with limited virus infection to boost the economy. The order came hours before the lockdown 3.0 was to end on Sunday midnight.

Delineation of Red, Orange, Green Zones to be decided by states 

The Centre stated that delineation of Red, Green and Orange Zones will be decided by states and Union Territories.

In a fresh set of guidelines for the next phase of the lockdown, the Ministry of Home Affairs stated, "The delineation of Red, Green and Orange Zones will be decided by the state and UT governments, after taking into consideration the parameters shared by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare."

Within the Red and Orange Zones, Containment Zones and Buffer Zones will be demarcated by district authorities, after taking into consideration the guidelines of the Health Ministry.

"In Containment Zones, only essential activities shall be allowed. There shall be strict perimeter control to ensure that there is no movement of people in or out of these zones, except medical emergencies and maintaining supply of essential goods and services," the guidelines added.

The government further said there would be intensive contact tracing, house-to-house surveillance and other clinical interventions in the Containment Zones.

Moreover, the movement of individuals will remain strictly prohibited between 7 p.m. to 7 a.m, except for essential activities.

The guidelines further stated, "Local authorities shall issue orders, in the entire area of their jurisdiction, under appropriate provisions of law, such as prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC and ensure strict compliance."

While restrictions will continue on all social, political, religious congregations, marriage related gatherings with not more than 50 people have been allowed by following social distancing norms.

Gatherings related to funerals shall ensure people present do not exceed more than 20, as per the guidelines.

Consumption of paan, gutka, tobacco in public will remain prohibited. Spitting at a public place will be punishable with fine as per the prescribed rules, it said.

Shops will ensure minimum six feet ("2 gaz ki doori") among customers and shall not allow more than five persons at a time.

Persons above 65 years of age, persons with co-morbidities, pregnant women, and children below the age of 10 years have also been directed to stay at home, except for essential and health purposes.

Metro, restaurants, air travel not allowed, buses allowed if states consent

As the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Sunday extended the lockdown till May 31, air travel, metro rail services, restaurants, schools and colleges will be prohibited throughout the country.

"Lockdown shall continue to remain in force up to May 31," the MHA announced on Sunday.

While it directed the states to decided the zones -- Red, Green and Orange -- taking into consideration the parameters shared by the Health Ministry, it says the "zones can be a district, or a municipal corporation/municipality or even smaller administrative units such as sub-divisions, as decided by states and UTs."

While there are different relaxations for different zones, certain countrywide prohibitions have been put in place irrespective of the zones.

"All domestic and international air travel, except for domestic medical services, domestic air ambulance and for security purposes or purposes as permitted by MHA will be barred," it said.

The Metro rail services, which were supported by the Delhi government, will also be banned as per the MHA.

"Schools, colleges, educational training and coaching institutions will remain closed. Online distance learning shall continue to be permitted and shall be encouraged."

The MHA said hotels, restaurants and other hospitality services, except those meant for housing government officials/ healthcare workers/ stranded persons including tourists and for quarantine facilities and running of canteens at bus depots, railway stations and airports restaurants shall be permitted to operate kitchens for home delivery of food items.

"All cinema halls, shopping malls, gymnasiums, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, bars and auditoriums, assembly halls, sports complexes and stadiums will be permitted to open, however, spectators will not be allowed."

The MHA also barred all social, political, sports, entertainment, academic, cultural, religious functions and other gatherings and large congregations.

"All religious places or places of worship shall be closed for the public. Religious congregations are strictly prohibited."

While it put a complete ban on the above activities, it gave a number of relaxations across the country except in the Containment Zones.

The MHA allowed the inter-state movement of passenger vehicles and buses, "with mutual consent of the state(s)/UTs) involved".

It also allowed the intra-state movement of passenger vehicles and buses, as decided by states and UTs.

In a statement, the MHA said: "A limited number of activities will continue to remain prohibited throughout the country. These include all domestic and international air travel of passengers."

The Standard Operating Protocols (SOP) on transit arrangements for foreign nationals in India; Indians stranded outside India; movement of stranded labourers, pilgrims, tourists, students and other persons within states and UTs; sign-on and sign-off of India seafarers; movement of persons by trains will continue.

Special direction has been given in the guideline to ensure inter-state and intra-state movement of medical professionals, sanitation workers, all types of goods vehicles, including empty trucks. It is mentioned in the guideline that no state or UT will stop the movement of any type of goods or cargo for cross land-border trade.

Practice of work from home should be followed as far as possible, the guideline reads, adding staggering work, business hours shall be followed in offices, work places, shops and commercial establishments.