New Delhi, May 18:

States and union territories cannot dilute restrictions despite widespread relaxations, the government said today, as India went into lockdown 4 to fight coronavirus.

“Despite widespread relaxations given in #Lockdown4 restrictions, States and UTs cannot dilute the restrictions imposed in home ministry guidelines,” the home ministry said in a statement, asserting that states and Union Territories were allowed to ban other activities and impose more restrictions, if needed.

Under the new guidelines enforced from today, states will designate red, green and orange zones according to the virus spread. Within the red zones, or areas most affected by coronavirus, containment zones and buffer zones will be marked out by districts.

“Effective field action in these containment zones and buffer zones will be critical to contain the disease,” said the home ministry.

A containment operation is considered a success when no case is reported in 28 days.

The government on Sunday extended the lockdown, in place since March 25, till May 31.