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This week, the Ministry of Home affairs extended the lockdown till May 17 and issued fresh guidelines regarding the nationwide lockdown.

The 40-day lockdown was to end on May 3. The new arrangement will be effective from May 4.

However, the public will have to wait for the resumption of train and flight services for commercial purposes.

The Home Ministry has issues a fresh set of guidelines to regulate different activities in this period. This is based on the risk profile of the districts namely red zones (which are also known as hotspots) green zones (which consist of areas that are safe from Covid-19 cases) and orange zones (which are moderately safe).

The guidelines have permitted considerable relaxations in the districts falling in the green and orange zones.

The movement of individuals for all non-essential activities shall remain strictly prohibited between 7 pm and 7 am.

In all zones, persons above the age of 65, as well as those with co-morbidities, pregnant women, and children below 10, must stay at home, except for meeting essential requirements and for health purposes.

Internationally, Italy, Spain and France are also easing restrictions.

On Friday, the United States said that it will allow a grace period of 60 days to people holding an H-1B visa along with green card applicants, who have been served notices to submit various documents.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday also threatened to impose fresh tariffs on China.