MP extends lockdown for 2 weeks; schools may reopen on June 13

BHOPAL: Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday announced that the Covid-19 lockdown would be extended to June 15 in Madhya Pradesh , but with several things unlocked - including schools that may open in the second week.

A day before the nationwide lockdown 4.0 is due to end, CM Chouhan interacted with children via video conference and said: "Schools may reopen after June 13, but the final decision on this will be taken after a few days as we are going to extend the lockdown till June 15."

E-passes won't be required to move anywhere in the state, he said. Soon after Chouhan's announcement, the home ministry issued a notification extending the nationwide lockdown to June 30, with an order to re-open prohibited activities in a phased manner in areas outside containment zones.

So far, an e-pass was mandatory for travel between Bhopal , Indore and Ujjain- the three worst hit districts of the state. Not any longer. The state government had scrapped the need for e-passes for travel in other parts of the state, but for these three hotspots, in lockdown 4.0, and now this has been done away with.

Now, e passes will be required only to leave and enter the state, he said. Chief secretary Iqbal Singh Bains said these would be auto-generated e-passes.

The CM will address citizens of the state on Sunday at 8pm. MP is expected to follow the Centre’s guidelines on lockdown 5.0 and Opening 1.0.

On Saturday, CM Chouhan deposited Rs 145.92 crore for mid-day meals for May and June in the accounts of 66.27 lakh students with a single click.