AGARTALA, April 19 (TIWN): Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Deb today has announced that the lockdown will not be lifted on April 20, rather it will continue till May 3 next though there will be relaxation in few essential and manufacturing sectors as per the directives of Central Government. Addressing the people of state Sunday evening the Chief Minister said Tripura is now in safer position in dealing with the COVID19-19 pandemic compared to many states.He said, "As decided by the centre under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the entire country (district wise) will be divided into three zones in terms of COVID19 situation. So, a major portion of Tripura will come under the green zone." "The lockdown will continue till May 3, 2020 but in the green zone the functioning of few sectors including essential manufacturing units, small scale industries and infrastructure units can resume activities by maintaining the social distancing norms and other guidelines of the central government after April 20," the Chief Minister said.

The people of Tripura have to follow the guidelines at every level for a long time even after the lockdown is over or else our efforts in creating the history will go in vain, Chief Minister said while urging the people not to become over excited.

While addressing the people, the Chief Minister laid stress on maintaining close vigil along the international boundary with Bangladesh so that not a single person from the neighbouring country can enter Tripura.

"I have come across some news items which claimed that social distancing is not being maintained in Bangladesh. If it is true, then we have to be extra careful since our state shares long border with that country. We all have to be more active so that nobody from Bangladesh can enter Tripura," the Chief Minister said adding that the BSF and police had already been put on alert to intensify patrolling in the unfenced patches of Sonamura, Boalkhali, Gandacherra and other parts of the state.

It is literally impossible to remain under complete lockdown in a high-populated country like India. But the way the countrymen including the people of Tripura maintained the lockdown has already scripted history, the Chief Minister claimed.

In another note, the Chief Minister said that the State Government came in contact with around 2000 people of Tripura working in other parts of the country and at present stranded outside following the lockdown. He said that the state government has financial helped a larger number of them and urged them to be in constant touch with their families over telephone and inform them that ther are safe at their places.

Most importantly, the Chief Minister today thanked the entire administrative chain right from Group-D staff of SDM office up to Chief Secretary for working together with dedication in combating the COVID19-19 pandemic.