States can’t dilute Lockdown 4.0 guidelines: MHA

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Monday clarified that no state or Union Territory would dilute the guidelines and restrictions issued for the nationwide lockdown that would continue till 31 May. The Central government, on Sunday, had extended the nationwide lockdown by 14 days till 31 May.

According to the statement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lockdown 4.0 has to be effective like before but with new rules. In Lockdown 4.0, the Centre has given the state governments freedom to allow exemptions and they can take decisions about their own activities like opening shops, etc. But the restrictions imposed under the guidelines of the Union Home Ministry cannot be reduced.

The Home Secretary has also written a letter to the Chief Secretaries of the states in this regard. This letter states that despite a wide relaxation in lockdown restrictions, states or Union Territories cannot reduce the restrictions imposed under the MHA guidelines. It was, however, also said that the states and Union Territories may prohibit certain other activities or impose restrictions, as deemed necessary. The MHA tweeted, “Despite widespread relaxations given in Lockdown restrictions, States/UTs cannot dilute the restrictions imposed in MHA guidelines. States/ UTs may prohibit certain other activities or impose restrictions, as deemed necessary.”