The governments of Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu on Sunday extended the lockdown in their respective states till May 31.
In Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami announced new relaxations such as resumption of intra-district transportation in 25 districts after a hiatus of nearly two months.
Maharashtra Chief Secretary Ajoy Mehta has issued an order notifying extension of the lockdown, an official said.
'The calibrated phase-wise relaxation/lifting of lockdown orders will be notified in due course,' the order said.
To read the full order: CLICK HERE
The present lockdown was valid from May 2 to 17.
'Lockdown 3.0 ends today. Lockdown 4.0 will come into effect tomorrow and will be valid till May 31. There will be some relaxations in the fourth phase,' he said.
'The green and orange zones will get more relaxations, in terms of starting more services. As of now only essential services are operational,' he said.
Maharashtra has recorded 30,706 COVID-19 cases of which 22,479 are active.
The death toll is 1135, while 7,088 patients have been discharged after recovery.
In 12 Tamil Nadu districts, including Chennai, there will be no change in the curbs and they will continue as existed during the third phase of lockdown, set to end on Sunday, Palaniswami added.
Citing consultations with top officials, public health and medical experts, he said the lockdown is extended till May 31 and the curbs including bar on functioning of educational institutions, public entry into religious places and relaxations already in force will continue throughout the state.
Palaniswami announced new relaxation in curbs for 25 districts, including Coimbatore, Salem, Erode, Tirupur, Namakkal and Karur, where people could avail government and private buses for commute within the district and they do not need 'TN e-pass', (permission for travel), he said.
Effective March 24 evening, public transport ceased to operate in the state as part of lockdown measures.
