MUMBAI: India said on Friday it would extend its nationwide lockdown for another two weeks after May 4.

India would allow “considerable relaxations” in lower-risk districts marked as green and orange zones under the government’s plan to fight the novel coronavirus.

The Indian Ministry of Home Affairs issued an order under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, to further extend the Lockdown in the country for another two weeks.

The lockdown in India was supposed to end on May 4.

In fact, India’s big cities will stay under tight restrictions after a nationwide lockdown ends on Sunday, while areas less hard-hit by the coronavirus will be allowed to resume some activity, according to the government letter and state-level officials.

Indian authorities are trying to chart a path out of the world’s biggest lockdown, imposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 25, which they credit with preventing an exponential surge in coronavirus infections.

(With inputs from agencies)