New Delhi: After a high-level meeting, held between Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Secretaries of all states, the Cabinet Secretary and the Principal Secretary on Sunday morning, the Centre advised the states to declare total lockdown in 75 districts of the states, which have reported either confirmed Novel Coronavirus cases or deaths from COVID-19.
The state governments have been suggested to issue orders, allowing only essential services to operate in those districts.
To contain the spread of COVID-19, it was decided to extend the restrictions on the movement of non-essential passenger transport, including inter-state buses, till March 31. All train services have been suspended till March 31, 2020, including sub-urban rail services. However, goods trains have been exempted. All metro rail services will be suspended as well till March 31.
The state governments may expand the list, depending on their assessment of the situation.
The districts, where lockdown was announced, include from the states of Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
Several state governments have already issued orders for total lockdown in their states, barring the essential services.