PM Narendra Modi has a videoconferenced face to face with Chief ministers of various states and said that though the lockdown measures have produced positive results and country have managed to save thousand of lives in the past one and a half months in this fight against COVID-19, the danger is still not over and we need to remain absolutely vigilant if we want to eradicate this pandemic completely.
He gave a signal to the states that the lockdown will possibly be extended post 3 May and kind of exit will be a graded one. However a lot of Chief ministers by themselves suggested that the lockdown should be extended to wipe out COVID-19.
PM Modi is expected to announce the extension of this lockdown on May 3 when this present lockdown ends.
According to those present at the meeting, the Prime Minister, after speaking to the Chief Ministers shed light on the fact that the economic activity was important, it would be undertaken with some reservations, only within districts and with several caveats. “We have to be brave and bring in reforms that touch the lives of common citizens,” he said.
Mr. Modi emphasised that efforts needs to be made to convert the red zones (where cases have occurred in the past 14 days) to orange (where cases have not occurred in 14 days) to green zones (where no cases have occurred in 28 days). “States should decide minute policies for the three zones. The hotspots and containment areas will continue to remain sealed,” he said.
“The country has seen two lockdowns, both different in certain aspects and now we have to think of the way ahead. Masks and face covers will become a way of life in the days ahead and under the circumstances, everyone’s aim must be rapid response,” he noted.
