With the fourth edition of coronavirus-induced lockdown set to end this week, at least two government panels have called for no further extension, according to an Economic Times report. The two government panels are tasked with managing medical emergency and availability of hospitals, isolation and quarantine facilities, the report said.

The panels have recommended continuation and even scaling up of containment measures in the worst-hit areas while allowing other places to open up in their submissions on an exit strategy for COVID lockdown 4.0, the report added.

The two panels want to continue with the closure of schools, colleges, movie halls and religious places while recommending lifting of all other lockdown curbs, the ET report said. Allowing international travel has not been proposed, it added.

The Union home ministry had set up 11 empowered groups for planning and implementing COVID-19 response activities in March. The group on managing medical emergency is chaired by Niti Aayog member Vinod Paul, while the group on availability of hospitals, isolation and quarantine facilities, disease surveillance, testing and critical care is chaired by environment secretary CK Mishra.