Shutdown extended till May 5

The government has issued a gazette notification extending the ongoing closure of all public and private offices till May 5 to contain the spread of coronavirus in the country.

The gazette notification was issued today.

Emergency services related to the supply of power, water, gas and fuel, port activities and telephone, internet and postal operations will remain out of the purview of the shutdown.

Movement of doctors, nurses, health workers and media persons are allowed, the notification said.

The shutdown will not be applicable to vehicles carrying perishable items, agricultural products, medicines and hospital staff.

No educational institution will be allowed to open during the period, the notification said.

Factory owners can resume operations, ensuring safety of their workers and staff, it said.

Public transport operation will resume gradually, depending on the situation.

This is for the fourth time the government extended shutdown after it first announced the closure of all public and private offices from March 26 to April 4. The first announcement was made on March 23.