NEW DELHI: The Centre has allowed the opening of liquor stores and paan shops, but with restrictions. This will be applicable in the green zones during the third phase of the lockdown, beginning May 4. More than five persons are not allowed at these shops at a time. However, bars are not allowed to open.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MHA) has extended the nationwide lockdown for another two weeks from May 4 and issued a fresh guidelines for the same.

"After a comprehensive review, and in view of the Lockdown measures having led to significant gains in the COVID-19 situation in the country, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued an Order under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, today, to further extend the lockdown for a further period of 2 weeks with effect from May 4, 2020," a government statement said.

The ministry has classified the country in three - green, orange and red - zones and different set of restrictions will be imposed in different areas.