Coronavirus: Centre mulls over extending lockdown after 14th April as states, experts make request

The central government is thinking about prolonging the 21-day lockdown, which will come to an end on 14th April, until the end of the month after many states and experts put in a request for it, according to sources in the government.

The previous day, Telangana CM K Chandrashekhar Rao had stated that he well make an earnest request to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to extend lockdown in order to curb the spread of Covid-19 in the country.

Chandrashekhar Rao also warned that if the coronavirus lockdown is lifted it could cost lives.

Ahead of Rao, a top bureaucrat in the state of Uttar Pradesh also indicated that the lockdown may not be relaxed in the state on 14th April.

A senior bureaucrat in Punjab has also endorsed an extension of the lockdown. Previously a minister in Maharashtra, the worst hit state, also stated that the lockdown shouldn’t come to an end on 14th April.

Earlier in the day, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu stated that the final week of the ongoing lockdown is vital for developing an exit plan as data vis-a-vis the spread of Covid-19 will have a bearing on the decision to be taken by the government.

He also made an appeal to the people to adhere to whatever decision is eventually taken by the government and act together with the same ethos that has thus far been conspicuous. “even if it meant to continue with some degree of hardship still beyond April 14”.

“As today marks the completion of two weeks of nationwide lockdown in force since March 25, I thought it appropriate to reach out to the people and the leadership of the country with my views and concerns amidst current efforts to tide over the crisis caused by the outbreak of coronavirus,” Naidu said.

The lockdown, recognized by experts as an imperative precautionary measure, has thrown economic activity into disarray and led to an exodus of migrant workers from cities.

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