PM Modi to extend Lockdown as India registered 60 Deaths in 24 Hours
According to sources education institutions, shopping malls, religious places and public transport are likely to remain shut beyond May 3 when the ongoing lockdown due to coronavirus pandemic is slated to end, as was indicated in the meeting between prime minister narendra modi and chief ministers on Monday.Meanwhile, the number of Covid-19 cases in the country climbed to 28,380 and the death toll due to it rose to 886 in the country, registering a record increase of 60 deaths in 24 hours, according to the Union health Ministry.
prime minister narendra modi on monday asked states to try to convert the Covid-19 challenge into opportunities through administrative reforms, and form their own policies on relaxing the lockdown based on ground reality. In a video conference with chief ministers, PM modi indicated that the coronavirus infection would remain for a longer time, beyond May 3, and people need to continue the use of masks and sanitisers for a longer period. This is Modi's fourth such interaction with state chief ministers since march 22 when he first spoke to them on the coronavirus situation and steps taken.
At least five chief ministers out of nine who spoke during the video conference strongly pitched for the extension of the ongoing lockdown beyond May 3 while a few advocated a cautious relaxation in curbs with limited activities in Covid-19 free districts. All chief ministers are in agreement that lockdown exit has to be gradual and that too after adopting all precautions or "shock absorbers". In the green zones districts, limited private vehicles may be allowed to ply but full scale train and air services are unlikely to start anytime soon. There is a possibility of regulated train or air services after mid-May between some designated places depending on the Covid-19 situation.