Refuting the reports and rumor as baseless, Cabinet Secretary on Monday said that the government is not looking at extending the lockdown beyond 15 April.

“There are rumours and media reports claiming that the Government will extend the 21 Lockdown beyond 14 April.  They are baseless reports. – Rajiv Gauba, Cabinet Secretary.

Press Information Bureau of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting tweeted, mentioning that the Cabinet Secretary has denied the claim by media reports that government will extend the lockdown.  This claim was made by a headlines in a digital media organisations website, claiming that the large exodus of workers from the capital has defeated the purpose of the lockdown.

Prasar Bharti, referring to a report carrying a headline “Modi govt could extend coronavirus ockdown by a week as migrant exodus triggers alarm”, said that it is a fake news.

Government, in a statement issued today, said that India is in local transmission stage and NOT Community Transmission Stage.

The nationwide lockdown will continue till April 14.  This lockdown has resulted in stopping all public transport as well as non-essential movement outside houses. All shops and services barring essential ones have been suspended.  This resulted in thousands of daily wage workers in Delhi, Mumbai and other bigger cities to return to their homes, causing a nationwide exodus and movement of people, which is not in line with the lockdown precautions.

US Extends Lockdown across April

The President of the US (POTUS) has extended  the US lockdown till 30 April.  Trump had earlier suggested that he might relax restrictions in areas where the pandemic was not as virulent.  However, as the numbers began to shoot up, better sense prevailed and the lockdown across the nation was extended to 30 April. US has reported 139,000 COVID-19 positive cases with nearly 2,400 deaths allegedly caused by the pandemic. Thought the lockdown is voluntary. many state and local governments have stricter controls on commuting and gatherings. California being one of the strictest.