Lockdown 3.0: Section 144 extended in Mumbai till May 17

Prohibitory orders banning assembly of four or more people under section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) have been extended in Mumbai until May 17 in view of the coronavirus lockdown, a police official said on Monday.

Mumbai has been declared as the red zone due to maximum number of COVID-19 cases.

"We have extended section 144 of CrPC which restricts any public gathering," he said quoting an official order.

The official said citizens caan step out to buy essentials between 7 am and 8 pm, but will have to follow social distancing norms.

Violators will be prosecuted under section 188 of the Indian Penal Code, he added.

Mumbai has so far reported 8,613 COVID-19 cases and 343 deaths, a BMC official had said on Sunday.