Coronavirus: Centre plans red, orange and green zones to relax lockdown

New Delhi : A day after PM Narendra Modi held a video conference with the CMs to discuss the plan forward on relaxing the coronavirus lockdown; the Centre is planning to categorize the nation into three zones – red, green and orange.

This is where the colour coding comes in, some of the participating Chief Ministers, including the Chief Minster of Puduchery, told the media after the meeting.

Let's talk about the meaning of colour codes. Green zones will be districts where there is no COVID-19 case. It has been learned that there are around 400 districts where there have been no COVID-19 cases. 

Orange zones will be places which saw less than 15 cases and there have been no increase in the number of positive cases. Here, minimum activities like opening of limited public transport, harvesting of farm products will be allowed.

Any place in India which has more than 15 cases will be marked under the red zone and lockdown like situation will continue.

Underscoring the importance of revival of the economy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday said, "In my first address I had said, 'Jaan hai to jahaan hai (If there is life, the world will exist)'. We must now look at Jaan bhi, jahaan bhi (life and the world)."

It is likely that the lockdown in India will be extended till April 31, but there could be some relaxations to keep the economy moving while safety of people remains the main focus.