India Lockdown Latest News Update: Will there be another nationwide lockdown? Possibly, this is one of the most-asked questions among the people amidst the massive rise in the number of COVID-19 cases all over the country. At a time, when the country is witnessing more than three lakh infections per day, the Home Ministry has issued fresh guidelines to all the states and UTs asking them to strictly implement containment measures across districts with a high number of COVID-19 cases to check the spread of the viral disease. However, the order has not mentioned imposition of any nation-wide lockdown.

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The Union Ministry of Home Affairs issued these guidelines Thursday night and these guidelines will remain effective till May 31, 2021. The press release reads, "In an order issued today, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) directed all States and Union Territories (UTs) to consider the containment measures, as had been conveyed in the advisory of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), dated 25.4.2021, for immediate implementation based on the assessment of the situation.  It asked the States and UTs to implement the necessary containment measures, under the relevant provisions of the Disaster Management (DM) Act, 2005."  

In its circular, the MHA stated that steps have to be undertaken for providing the infrastructure to manage the present and projected COVID-19 cases and in order to do so "necessary action initiated to ensure sufficient oxygen-supported beds, ICU beds, ventilators, ambulances including creation of makeshift hospitals, as needed." Incidentally, there has been reporting of shortage of oxygen and hospitals beds in many places of the country like Delhi.
The circular also clarified the fact that the decision whether to go for a large containment zone has to be evidence-based and to be done at state/UT level after proper analysis. It also has to be noted that the directives issued by the ministry will be effective till May 31, 2021.

As per the guidelines from the Centre, the movement of individuals shall be strictly prohibited during the night hours, except for essential activities, in areas where the number of cases is high. Social, political, sports, entertainment, academic, cultural, religious, festival related and other gatherings and congregations have been prohibited. Marriages will be attended by up to 50 people and funerals by up to 20.

Despite all these restrictions, the only thing that has the highest chance if protecting one from the COVID-19 infection is vaccination. The third phase of vaccination is starting from May 1, 2021 and will include all adults above 18 years of age. The registration process has started from April 28, 2021 at CoWin portal at cowin.gov.in.