Call likely on States’ exhortation as studies show 21-day model insufficient
With chorus growing from States to extend the ongoing lockdown to effectively fight the outbreak of coronavirus, the Centre may also move in the same direction and keep the country in a state of lockdown beyond April 14.
Various studies have shown that the 21-day lockdown model is not a foolproof way to contain the coronavirus outbreak and the disease could return when the lockdown ends. However, the Government has to also make sure that tens of thousands of daily-wage earners are fed and sheltered during the extension of lockdown. It has to also take into account the terrible state of economy due to shutdown of production across every section of industries, except pharma sector.
Several States such as Telangana, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh Assam, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand are reported to be in favour of extending the current phase of lockdown after it ends on April 14. These States have contributed more than a third of the positive cases in India.
“A lot of State Governments as well as experts are requesting the Central Government to extend the lockdown. The Union Government is thinking in this direction,” Tweeted Prasar Bharati News Services citing “Government sources” after a crucial GoM meeting.
The development comes a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked countrymen to be ready for a long battle against the coronavirus pandemic, and exhorted people not to feel tired or defeated while expressing confidence the country will emerge victorious in its fight.
During the day, the Group of Ministers headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is learnt to have also discussed the States’ suggestion for extension of the lockdown. Modi is expected to take a call on this regard based on the GoM’s suggestions.
The GoM meeting was attended by Union Ministers Amit Shah, Nirmala Sitharaman, Ramvilas Paswan, Piyush Goyal and Prakash Javadekar also analysed the ways to open the lockdown from April 15.
The meeting is reported to have discussed suggestion of opening up the lockdown in staggered or phased manner with stringent rules to prevent the spread of the pandemic.
The Karnataka Government said it will take a decision on the continuation of the 21 days lockdown that ends on April 14, after examining the report by a panel of health experts who have been tasked with devising an exit strategy, which is likely to be submitted in couple of days.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said a decision on the coronavirus-enforced lockdown will be taken at an appropriate time after a review amid hints it may continue in the State beyond April 14.
Thackeray chaired a meeting of the Cabinet, the first through video conferencing due to the outbreak, in which the situation prevailing in the State, which has the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the country, and available medical infrastructure were discussed, officials said.
The ongoing lockdown, which is in place in view of coronavirus outbreak, might be extended in Madhya Pradesh if needed, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said. “We will take a decision after analysing the situation. Lives of people are more important. We can resurrect the economy later on but can’t be able to bring back lives of people,” Chouhan said in a video statement.
