No re-imposition of lockdown from Sept 25, Centre clarifies

The Press Information Bureau has denied the news in a Twitter post with a "Fake News" alert.

According to reports, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) had recommended another lockdown from Sept 25 amid the rise in the cases.

A screenshot of the supposed 'order' by the agency was shared widely online.

"In order to contain the spread of Covid-19 and decrease the mortality rate in the country, the National Disaster Management Authority, along with the Planning commission, hereby urges the government of India and directs the Prime Minister office, ministry of home affairs to re-impose a strict nationwide lockdown of 46 days starting from midnight September 25, 2020. Maintaining the supply chain of essential commodities in the country, therefore hereby NDMA is issuing a prior notice to the ministry to plan accordingly," the so-called "order" dated Sept 10 claimed.

The government has not only denied the reports but issued a statement claiming: "An order purportedly issued by National Disaster Management Authority claims that it has directed the government to re-impose a nationwide #Lockdown from 25th September. This order is #Fake. @ndmaindia has not issued any such order to re-impose lockdown."

There have been several talks of another lockdown as India, the world's second worst-hit, has more than 48 lakh infections and has been adding over 90,000 cases daily.

India underwent a strict anti-coronavirus lockdown from March-end and it was only in June the government planned on a stage-wise system of Unlocking.