Lockdown extended till May 31; New guidelines to be issued to open up economic activities

The Central Government has now decided to extend the lockdown till May 31. National Disaster Management Authority has issued an order stating, “Considering the fact that the lockdown measures need to be implemented for a further period in the country to contain the spread of COVID 19, NDMA, in the exercise of powers under Section 6 (2) (i) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, hereby directs the Ministries/ Departments of Government of India, State Governments and State Authorities to continue the lockdown measures up to 31st May, 2020.”

However, in the fourth phase of the lockdown, the government of India wants to open up economic activities and to ensure that the authority directs NEC to issue modifications “in the guidelines as necessary, keeping in view the need to open up economic activities while containing the spread of COVID 19.”

It is here worth mentioning that exercising the same powers the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) had earlier also directed the Ministries/Departments of Government of India, State Governments and State Authorities to take measures so as to prevent the spread of COVID 19 in the country. These measures have been in force from 25 March 2020.

Detailed guidelines, orders, clarifications and agendas were issued by the National Executive Committee (NEC) from time to time under section 10(2)0) of the Disaster Management Act 2005.