As the lockdown 4.0 is going to end by May 31, Prime Minister Narendra Modi may extend it and announce the next phase of lockdown.

PM Modi will be addressing the nation on May 31 via his radio programme, Mann Ki Baat; hence, the announcement of lockdown 5.0 is expected on that day.

The lockdown maybe for another two weeks from June 1 to June 15.

As per the sources, PM will announce measures to ease the restrictions in most parts of the country.

The Home Ministry says that lockdown 5.0 will mainly focus on 11 cities that have contributed to 70 per cent of total coronavirus cases in the country.

These cities include Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, Bengaluru, Thane, Kolkata, Chennai, Indore, Ahmedabad, Surat, and Jaipur.

Out of these 11 cities, five cities, i.e. Ahmedabad, Delhi, Pune, Kolkata and Mumbai are the most affected cities in the country. 60 per cent of the 1.51 lakh coronavirus cases have been reported in these five cities.

The central government had prepared a list of 30 municipal corporation areas which have contributed to 80 per cent of total coronavirus cases in the country.

It is expected that the central government will ease many restrictions including the reopening of religious places in lockdown 5.0, but with some restrictions.

As usual, no mass congregations would be allowed. Wearing a face mask and maintaining social distancing in the religious places will be made mandatory like all other places.

Karnataka government has already written to PM requesting to allow the reopening of all religious places from June 1.

Gyms may also be allowed to open from June 1. The restrictions are expected to continue on the opening of schools, colleges, malls and cinema halls.

Image Credit: Narendra Modi / CC BY-SA

Image Reference: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:PM_Modi_2015.jpg