Telangana government has extended the lockdown till 29th of this month. Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao announced this after a Cabinet meeting in Hyderabad yesterday evening. He said the night curfew will also continue between 7 PM and 6 AM. Only shops selling essential commodities will open in red zones. All shops will remain open in Green and orange zones in villages and at Block level.

In municipal towns, 50 per cent shops will be allowed every day and they will be selected by way of lottery. Shops will open between 10 AM and 6 PM. Hyderabad, Medchal-Malkajgiri, Rangareddy, Warangal urban, Vikarabad and Suryapet are in red zone. The State cabinet will review the situation on 15th of this month again. Telangana has registered 1096 Coronavirus cases till now. 11 fresh cases were reported yesterday. Currently 439 patients are undergoing treatment at hospital.

Meanwhile,Centre has extended consular services to foreigners stranded in India due to COVID-19 for a period of up to 30 days from the date when ban on international travel is lifted.

Home Ministry had earlier granted consular services on gratis basis to foreign nationals till 3rd May. After considering the matter, it has been decided to extend the period. Such extensions would be granted for a period up to 30 days from the date of lifting the prohibition on international air travel of passengers from India without levy of over stay penalty.

In other news,Prime Minister Narendra Modi held extensive discussions on COVID 19 pandemic with his Portugal counterpart Antonio Costa over phone yesterday. In a tweet, Mr Modi said India and Portugal will continue to work together and support each other in these trying times, especially in ensuring supplies of medical products and sharing research and best practices. The two leaders discussed the steps being taken by both countries to control health and economic impact of the COVID 19 pandemic.

Prime Minister Modi commended Mr Costa for his effective handling of the crisis. The Portugese Prime Minister also congratulated Mr Modi on the good results achieved in containing the pandemic in a country as large and populous as India. They noted that proactive national measures were helpful in containing the spread of the virus. They offered all possible help to each other in dealing with the situation and agreed to collaborate on research and innovation aimed at fighting COVID-19.