This archive report was first published on 17 May 2020.
On May 17, 2020, India extended its nationwide lockdown until the end of May, as the country reported its biggest single-day jump in coronavirus cases.
The lockdown, which affects 1.3 billion people, has been in force since late March and has had a devastating impact on India's poor, with millions of migrant workers losing their jobs.
According to the Home Affairs Ministry, lockdown measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 will continue until May 31. Schools, places of worship, shopping malls, cinemas, and gyms must remain closed, and bans on large gatherings for religious and sporting events will also be extended.
However, some sectors will be permitted to open up as the economy takes a hammering. Restaurants will now be allowed to operate their kitchens for takeaway services, while sports complexes and stadiums are permitted to host events, but without spectators.
The National Disaster Management Authority said the restrictions would be updated 'as necessary, keeping in view the need to open up economic activities' in Asia's third-biggest economy while containing the virus.
India recorded its biggest single-day jump in virus cases with 4,987 new infections in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of cases to 90,927 with 2,872 deaths.
