NEW DELHI: National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), in pursuance of the Prime Minister’s announcement of a 19-day extension in Covid-19 lockdown, issued a formal order on Tuesday directing Central and state authorities to continue following the lockdown measures as outlined in the home ministry’s guidelines issued on March 24 and modified thereafter, until May 3.Stating that social distancing measures need to be implemented for a further period to contain the spread of Covid-19, NDMA directed that the guidelines/orders issued by national executive committee (NEC) — which is chaired by the Union home secretary — shall continue to be applicable throughout the country until May 3. It further asked NEC to issue modifications in the consolidated MHA guidelines as necessary.In a follow-up order issued soon after, Home Secretary and NEC chairperson directed that the lockdown measures stipulated in consolidated guidelines of MHA issued on March 24 and further modified on March 25, 27 and April 2, 3 and 10 shall continue to remain in force up to May 3.The Home Secretary’s order was marked to secretaries of all Central ministries and departments, state chief secretaries and Union Territory administrators. It stated that all restrictions that have been imposed in various sectors, will continue to remain in force until further orders. Also, such restrictions would have to be enforced strictly by all ministries/departments of Government of India and by the state/UT governments and authorities.The communication to the states and UTs emphasised that as per orders issued by the home ministry under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, the states and UTs cannot dilute restrictions imposed via the said guidelines.The home ministry is expected to further modify its guidelines after April 20, based on classification of the areas across the country as per the extent of Covid-19 spread and success of containment efforts. Some relaxations are set be granted to ‘green’ zones where Covid-19 impact is minimal or its spread was successfully contained.