The Maharashtra government is most likely to extend the lockdown in the state till May 31 even as the Centre is yet to make an announcement on extension of the social distancing measures to stop the spread of coronavirus beyond May 17. The official notification regarding the extension of lockdown in Maharashtra is likely to come on Friday. The decision was taken at a meeting of ministers of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government headed by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. Measures to resume economic activities in the state were also discussed at the meeting chaired by Thackeray on Thursday. While areas outside red zones may get substantial relaxations, hotspot areas are unlikely to get any relief. Strict lockdown will continue in Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), Pune, Solapur, Aurangabad and Malegaon, which have reported the most number of cases in the state. However, areas outside hotspots may resume industrial operations and other economic activities so that the impact of the lockdown on state's economy is minimised. Also read Dry day for tipplers in Mumbai as Maharashtra starts home delivery of liquor from Friday "The government expressed its intent to extend the lockdown in MMR, Pune, Solapur, Aurangabad and Malegaon town in Nashik district till May 31. The state's view will be conveyed to the Centre in writing," a state government official was quoted as saying by PTI. "In the rest of the state, the guidelines of the Centre will be implemented when they are announced before the lockdown 3.0 ends on May 17," he added. The meeting chaired by Thackeray was attended by his deputy Ajit Pawar, Water Resources Minister Jayant Patil, Urban Development Minister Eknath Shinde, Industries Minister Subhash Desai, Revenue Minister Balasaheb Thorat and PWD Minister Ashok Chavan. Maharashtra is the worst-hit state in the country with 27,524 COVID-19 cases and 1,019 deaths. Mumbai alone accounts for 16,579 cases and 621 deaths. The nationwide shutdown was first enforced from March 25 to April 21 and has been extended twice. The third phase of the lockdown will end on May 17 but Prime Minister Narendra Modi indicated on Tuesday that it will continue with guidelines even beyond the given date. He said the fourth phase of the lockdown will be very different from the earlier three phases.

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