False: Lockdown has been imposed in India between May 3-20, 2021, amid the second COVID-19 wave.

By: Shashi M
May 3 2021

Share Article:

A nationwide lockdown has not been imposed. States and UTs have been asked to implement strict containment measures in places seeing a surge in cases. Amid the growing cases of COVID-19 in India, some posts on social media claimed that the government is imposing a nationwide lockdown between May 3 to 20. However, the central government has not made any such announcement. So, the claim is fake. The government directed states and Union Territories to consider containment steps such as restrictions on meetings, market operations, office operations, schools, and colleges and implement increased testing and tracking. While addressing the nation on April 20, 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi requested the state governments to consider a lockdown as a last option despite a spike in positive cases and deaths. He said the focus should be on micro containment zones. Moreover, the Ministry of Home Affairs' guidance eluded enforcing lockdowns. Instead, allowing the states and Union Territories to come up with their containment strategies and framework. Many states have proposed steps such as a night curfew, banning public gatherings for political, educational, religious, sports, or entertainment purposes. Attendance at weddings has been capped to 50 and funerals at 20. Orders have been issued to close the shopping malls, cinema halls, gyms, spas, restaurants, and stadiums. Public transportation would be operated at 50 percent capacity, and attendance in government offices has been capped at 50 percent capacity. According to Indian Express, based on the number of COVID-19 cases in their jurisdictions, the states have implemented curfews or partial lockdowns. In Karnataka, a two-week complete lockdown was enforced from 9 p.m. on April 27 to 6 a.m. on May 12, with exceptions for medical stores, fruit vendors, and daily essentials. The state government of Odisha has instituted a night curfew in 30 districts.