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NEW DELHI, May 17-- India will enter the fourth phase of the nationwide lockdown imposed to contain the COVID-19 pandemic starting May 18. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced last week that the current lockdown will be extended with effect from May 18. Fresh guidelines were issued on Sunday by the Ministry of Home (Internal Security) Affairs for the fourth phase of lockdown till May 31, announcing some relaxations like opening of stadiums and sports complexes but without spectators, allowing inter-state movement of vehicles but with mutual consent of the states, movement of essential goods, and restaurants permitted to operate kitchens and home delivery of prepared food items. However, all trains, flights, both domestic and international, Metro Rail services, all schools, colleges, educational institutions, hotels, and other hospitality services, cinema halls, shopping malls, gymnasiums, swimming pools, theaters, bars, and auditoriums will remain closed, as per the government order. The decision was taken by the federal government after Modi recently consulted chief ministers of all states regarding the lockdown. During the extended lockdown, movement of people will remain strictly prohibited from 7:00 p.m. till 7:00 a.m., except for essential services. People aged above 65 years, pregnant women, children aged below 10 years shall stay at home except for essential and health purposes. As per the latest figures issued by the federal health ministry at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, the total number of COVID-19 cases in India surpassed the 90,000 mark, reaching 90,927, as the death toll stood at 2,872. | 
