HARYANA EXTENDS LOCKDOWN TILL MAY 17, OFFICIALS TO FOCUS ON COVID HOT SPOTS

GURUGRAM: The Haryana government on Sunday extended the ongoing lockdown in the state for another week, until May 17, to curb the spread of Covid-19 infections, with officials saying they will concentrate on Gurugram, Faridabad and Sonepat districts, which account for almost half of the total number of Covid-19 infections in the state.

As per the directions issued by state government officials, only 11 persons will be allowed to attend gatherings, including weddings and funerals. Wedding functions are only allowed at residences and courts with not more than 20 people, while wedding processions are banned.

State health minister Anil Vij on Sunday evening announced the lockdown extension through a tweet, stating that the stringent enforcement will continue.

Previously, the state government imposed a week-long lockdown in the state from May 3, following a weekend curfew in nine worst-affected districts.

Vij, while announcing the extension of the curbs, however, indicated that the nomenclature of the lockdown would be changed and it would now be called a “mahamari alert” or a “Surakshit Haryana”.

He also said that a detailed order in this regard will be issued soon.

Vij, in his tweet at 8.49pm on Sunday, wrote, “Mahamari Alert / Surakshit Haryana announced from 10 May to 17 May. Stringent measures will be taken to contain spread of Corona in Haryana. Detailed order to be issued soon.”

The tweet by Vij, who also holds the charge of home ministry in the state cabinet, also cleared the confusion regarding the extension of the lockdown as it was set to end at 10am on Monday.

A senior Gurugram district administration official, when asked about the matter, said that they are still awaiting the order for the extended lockdown.