What is the reason behind increasing the lockdown till 3rd May instead of 30th April?

A 21-day nationwide lockdown to prevent the spread of the coronavirus completed today. However, the lockdown is to be carried forward, as it was already anticipated. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing the country on 14 April, announced to extend the lockdown till 3 May. During this time one thing came as a surprise as to why the lockdown was extended till May 3, while estimates were being made for two weeks and many states also extended the lockdown till April 30. Government sources have given reasons for this. 

The states were being asked by the central government to extend the lockdown by April 30. However, PM Modi extended the lockdown till May 3 instead of April 30. On this, government sources said, 'May 1 is a public holiday, May 2 is a Saturday and May 3 is a Sunday. For this reason, the lockdown was extended till 3 May instead of 30 April. According to government sources, more people can opt-out during the three-day holiday that can lead to no social distance. Because of this, the lockdown has been extended until 3 May.