Lockdown 4 – School-colleges will remain closed, domestic and international flights will also not start yet

New Delhi, 17 May 2020 – The world’s largest lockdown in India has been extended for 14 more days. This will be the fourth phase of deshbandi, which starts on Monday 18 May and ends on 31 May. On Sunday, about six hours before the third phase of the lockdown ended, the National Disaster Management Authority, or NDMA, directed the central government and the states to continue the ban. After this, the Home Ministry issued new guidelines.

Tonight at 9 o’clock, Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gaba will hold video conferencing with the Chief Secretaries of the states. Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Punjab and Mizoram have already announced to extend the lockdown till 31 May. With the lockdown increasing till 31 May, a population of 1.25 billion will now remain in restrictions for 68 consecutive days. This is the biggest lockdown in any country of the world with such a large population lasting so long.

According to the new guidelines, domestic and international flights and schools and colleges will remain closed.

How were the three phases of lockdown

The lockdown was declared in three phases in the country from 25 March to 14 April, 15 April to 3 May and 4 May to 17 May.

First Phase: From 25 March to 14 April, it lasted for 21 days. During this period only the shops of essential goods were allowed to open.

Second phase: April 15 to May 3, it lasted for 19 days. Permission was granted to open shops in Orange and Green zones except Hotspot (Red Zone).

Third Phase: May 4 to May 17, it was 12 days. Permission was granted to open shops in Orange and Green zones except Hotspot (Red Zone). In addition, trains and buses were run for migrant laborers. Special trains also started from New Delhi. The return of stranded Indians to other countries began through the Vande India and Samudra Setu Mission.