COVID-19: Odisha Becomes First State To Extend Lockdown Till April 30

The Odisha government on Thursday decided to extend the ongoing lockdownin the state till April 30 to effectivelycontain the spread of coronavirus.

Schools and other educational institutions will remain closed till June 17, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced after a videoconference with his ministers.

"We have decided to extend the lockdownperiod till April 30 and a recommendation in this regardwill be sent to the Centre," he said in a video message.

Patnaik said the state has also urged the Centre to stop train andflight services to Odisha till April 30.

Odisha has recorded 44 positive cases ofcoronavirus so far.