The Centre on Sunday ordered state governments to issue appropriate orders to allow only essential services to operate in 75 districts of India that have reported confirmed coronavirus cases and deaths.

It added that the state governments can expand the list depending on their assessment of the situation.

The decisions have been taken ata high-level meeting attended by chief secretaries of all states and thecabinet secretary and the principal secretary to the prime minister.

Ithas also been decided to suspend the interstate bus services till March 31, theofficials said.

Thenames of the districts have not yet been announced.