These states ignored April 20 relaxations on lockdown as Covid-19 cases surge

• The Delhi government will have a comprehensive assessment on lockdown on April 27.
  
• Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Sunday ruled out any relaxation in the statewide curfew, except as needed to ensure COVID-19 free procurement of wheat, till May 3.
  
• The Telangana Chief Minister said the cabinet took the decision not to give any relaxation after analysing the issue from all angles.
  

In line with PM Modi’s announcement of partial exit from the lockdown starting today(April 20) many states choose to open up certain areas that do not fall under Coronavirus red zones.

The state governments took the decision to revive the battered economy.

However, many states decided to keep a complete shutdown to tackle the increasing number of coronavirus cases in India. With 1,553 new cases in 24 hours, the total tally of Coronavirus cases in India stood at 17,265 on Monday (April 20), according to the Ministry of Health and Family welfare.

The health ministry said that, of the total cases, 14,175 are active cases, with 543 casualties.

PM Modi in his address on April 14 said, some areas may be opened up in a limited way from April 20, if the risk of coronavirus seems unlikely. But the moment there is a case, even if it is just one, strict measures will be imposed again. The government, however, later released detailed guidelines, which can be found here.

Here are all the states/UTs that decided not to ease lockdown

Delhi will review after April 27

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday announced that there would be no relaxation in the coronavirus lockdown from Monday as the number of cases continues to rise in the national capital, adding the state government will review its decision after a week.

He said the government has decided to not relax any restrictions in Delhi for now. “We will have discussions with experts and the concerned departments again after a week and will review our decision,” he added.

According to an order, issued by Delhi Chief Secretary Vijay Dev, the government will have a comprehensive assessment on lockdown on April 27.

Telangana extends lockdown till May 7

The Telangana government on Sunday decided to extend the lockdown till May 7 and not to give any relaxations.

Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao announced the extension on Sunday night after the cabinet meeting. The Chief Minister said the cabinet took the decision not to give any relaxation after analysing the issue from all angles. An intensive survey shows that 95% of the people are in favour of continuing the lockdown without relaxations.

The state had earlier extended the lockdown till April 30. Though the Centre subsequently extended the nationwide lockdown by May 3, the state cabinet decided to extend it further by four days.

No relaxation in curfew till May 3, says Punjab CM

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Sunday ruled out any relaxation in the statewide curfew, except as needed to ensure COVID-19 free procurement of wheat, till May 3, when he will again review the situation.

Amarinder Singh ordered strict enforcement of the curfew in all districts with no relaxation or concessions whatsoever even during the Ramzan period beginning this week. He also made it clear that no special curfew passes would be issued to the people on account of the festival.

The Chief Minister directed the Deputy Commissioners to take firm steps to ensure that there is no crowding at the grocery and other shops selling essentials at this time, and all norms of social distancing are strictly adhered to. He took the decision after reviewing the current situation with senior officers from the administration and police department.

Tamil Nadu to stay under lockdown after a spike in cases

A day after the state reported over 100 coronavirus positive cases, the Tamil Nadu government on Monday decided to continue with the existing nationwide lockdown restrictions till May 3.

A government statement said the relaxations given for essential services earlier would however continue. The Tamil Nadu government pointed out that Delhi, Karnataka, Punjab, Telangana, Maharashtra, Gujarat and other states too had decided to continue with the lockdown restrictions till May 3.

Chief Minister K. Palaniswami on Monday chaired a meeting of ministers and senior officials and discussed the issue. The state has also set up an expert committee to look into all aspects of the issue and give its recommendations.

Karnataka to continue lockdown till May 3

The Karnataka cabinet on Monday decided to continue the COVID-19 lockdown measures currently in force in the state till May 3 without any relaxation, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister J C Madhuswamy said.

However, leaving a window open, it authorised Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa and the COVID-19 Task Force to meet in three or four days to review and take a further decision about any relaxation, he told reporters here.

“Today cabinet has decided it (the norms) will be extended up to May 3... there will be no relaxation and the situation that exists as of today will continue,” he said.

Pending the cabinet decision, Chief Secretary T M Vijay Bhaskar had on Sunday issued fresh orders directing the continuation of the stringent lockdown measures issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs till the midnight of April 21.

SEE ALSO: List of coronavirus hotspot in Telangana
List of coronavirus hotspot in Karnataka
Coronavirus cases in India state wise