As several people heave a sigh of relief hoping for more relaxations in the upcoming Lockdown 4.0 with new rules as announced by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has crossed China in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases over the past few days with the number rising to 85,000 cases.
“30 areas with new rules”
This alarming situation has led the central government to reconsider relaxations and will be bringing about stricter rules in the hotspot areas.
Over 30 municipal areas have been identified in 12 states where maximum restrictions are likely to be imposed as India enters phase four of coronavirus lockdown.
As per official sources, the Union Health Secretary will be organising a meeting with the district medical officers of the selected 30 areas in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab and Odisha to make a proper plan for the new lockdown in these states.
The selected municipal areas are Brihanmumbai or Greater Mumbai, Greater Chennai, Ahmedabad, Thane, Delhi, Indore, Pune, Kolkata, Jaipur, Nashik, Jodhpur, Agra, Tiruvallur, Aurangabad, Cuddalore, Greater Hyderabad, Surat, Chengalpattu, Ariyalur, Howrah, Kurnool,
Bhopal, Amritsar, Villupuram, Vadodara, Udaipur, Palghar, Berhampur, Solapur and Meerut.
“To be announced on Sunday”
The new rules and restrictions are to be announced on Sunday, 17 May 2020 which is the last day of Phase 3 of the COVID-19 lockdown.
Several ministers have pleaded the government to not raise restrictions in the country due to the failure of authorities to flatten the curve as almost 100 deaths were reported in one day alone in India.
The Prime Minister had stated in his speech earlier this week that the new lockdown will have a completely different form with new rules. These new rules will allow a staggered exit and resuming of economic activities to ensure that the industrial impact is reduced.
“Opening of airlines and railways”
The officials have also stated that the gradual and need-based operations of transport like railways and domestic airlines are likely to resume from next week, however, a full-fledged opening is not likely to happen any time soon. Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka were among some states which were not in favour of the complete resumption of train and air services, at least till May-end, the official said.
