Some industries in rural areas will be allowed to reopen after April 20 to reduce hardships for millions because of a prolonged lockdown to slow the spread of coronavirus, the government said today, a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended the nationwide lockdown till May 3 and said restrictions would be relaxed after a week in the least infected parts of India. The government will also allow farm activities, construction of roads and buildings in rural areas, IT, e-commerce and all inter-state goods transport while keeping in force strong restrictions in hotspots -- areas with a large number of COVID-19 cases or showing a rapid rise in infection. PM Modi announced the extended restrictions as India crossed 10,000 coronavirus cases despite a 21-day lockdown.
