Maharashtra, which has recorded the highest number of COVID19 positive cases in India, has extended the ongoing lockdown imposed in view of the pandemic till May 31 midnight.
While India’s COVID19 count crossed the mark of 90,000 on Sunday with 2,872 deaths, Maharashtra recorded 30,706 positive cases with 1,135 deaths.
According to an order, issued on Sunday, Maharashtra chief secretary Ajoy Mehta said he has issued directions “to extend the lockdown till 31st May 2020 for containment of COVID-I 9 epidemic in the state”.
In the order, the chief secretary said “all departments of government of Maharashtra shall strictly implement the guidelines issued earlier from time to time”.
“It is further directed that all earlier orders shall be aligned with order and shall remain in force up to and inclusive of 31st May 2020,” said the order.
“The calibrated phase wise relaxation/lifting of lockdown orders will be notified in the due course,” said the order.
The decision to extend the lockdown has been taken as “the state of Maharashtra is threatened with the spread of Covid-19 virus”.
According to the Union health ministry website, the total number of positive cases in the country is now at 90, 927, including 53,946 active cases, 34,109 cured/discharged/migrated cases.
The first nationwide lockdown was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi since March 24 midnight as a preventive measure to contain the spread of COVID19 pandemic.
The lockdown has been extended twice.
While the nationwide lockdown was first extended till May 3, the third phase of lockdown was extended till May 17.
As per reports, the Modi government is likely to issue an order extending the lockdown further on Sunday.