HARYANA, DELHI EXTEND LOCKDOWN TILL MAY 17

CHANDIGARH/NEW DELHI: 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 concentrating 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 baraat processions were disallowed.

Health minister Anil Vij on Sunday evening announced the lockdown 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”.

Metro shut in Capital

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal extended the lockdown in the national capital by another week, but said restrictions will be scaled up, with Metro rail services completely suspended for seven days and wedding ceremonies banned in public areas in an effort to control the spurt of Covid-19 cases.