Covid-19: Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu may go for lockdown till end of May

MUMBAI/CHENNAI: The lockdown in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu will most likely be extended till May 31 as the number of Covid-19 cases continues to rise in both states. Tamil Nadu is likely to announce the extension but with some more easing of norms.
In Maharashtra, the lockdown will be strictly implemented in red zones, especially in Mumbai, Pune, Malegaon and Pimpri-Chinchwad, which have recorded the maximum number of coronavirus positive cases so far. A formal announcement on the extension would be made later this week.
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CM Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday held a meeting with some of his cabinet colleagues to formalise the plan to be implemented after May 17. The plan is to be forwarded to PM Modi by Friday. Thackeray, sources said, is clear that the lockdown must be strictly implemented in the red zones and it must be made stricter if required.
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Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu government-appointed health expert team recommended to CM Edappadi K Palaniswami a phased easing of the lockdown. The experts recommended ramping up testing to better map the virus spread.
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Sources said the Tamil Nadu government would not allow public transport, gyms, malls and theatres to operate during the extended lockdown period. “Industries might work with some more concessions. The state is considering permitting government offices to work with 50% strength on alternate days and a six-day-a-week work schedule,” said a source. The state will take a call on Saturday factoring in local aspects and recent spike in cases. The CM had already requested the Centre not to resume regular flights and train services until May 31.

On Thursday, TN issued guidelines making testing mandatory for all those coming from other states. This comes close on the heels of arrival of special trains from Delhi on Thursday and Saturday. An order issued by chief secretary K Shanmugam said that among those coming from hotspots like Delhi, Gujarat and Maharashtra, people testing positive would be taken to hospitals, while those testing negative will remain in institutional quarantine for seven days.
Watch Covid-19 crisis: Lockdown extended in Mumbai, Pune and other hotspots in Maharashtra until May 31