Lockdown Update: Here's what Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said after cabinet meeting
Lockdown Update: Here's what Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said after cabinet meeting
In the midst of queries on if the nationwide lockdown to curb Covid-19 will be prolonged beyoud 14th April, the centre on Monday stated a decision would be taken "in the national interest" and would be announced "at the right time".
"When we open the lockdown it will be after we have ensured that the state is corona free. If even one corona positive person is left, it will be very difficult to open the lockdown and that is why it may take time," said Awanish Awasthi, Additional Chief Secretary, Uttar Pradesh.
Subsequent to the cabinet meeting, the centre, however, remained non-committal on discontinuing the lockdown on 14th April.
"We are monitoring the world situation every minute. A decision will be taken in the national interest. A decision in this regard will be declared at the right time," Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said after a meeting of the Union Cabinet through video.
"There is an empowered group of officials that is assessing the situation," Javadekar added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on 24th March declared a 21 day nationwide lockdown, which is untill 14th April.
During the cabinet meeting, he stated that the governmnet must work in war-frame to take the edge off the fallout of Sars-CoV-2 and ministers should draw up a graded strategy "to slowly open departments where there are no hotspots".
Earlier, during a video conference with chief ministers, the Prime Minister had solicited for a plan for staggered movement of people after the lockdown ends.
"It is important to formulate a common exit strategy to ensure staggered re-emergence of the population once the lockdown ends," PM Modi said, urging states to send their plan.
Many are of the opinion that the government may be forced to carry on with the lockdown, however in a tweaked version, considering the economic costs and mess for essential commodities.
Unverified reports indicates agricultural activities may be exempted, flights may be to certain degree opened and a complete lockdown may be limited to virus hotspots.
The central government may also leave it to states to determine the situation and take a decision.
Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath yesterday stimulated speculation with his remark to the state legislators."The lockdown will be lifted on April 15. We have to ensure that the crowding doesn't take place. After the lockdown is lifted and if crowding takes place, all our efforts will go in vain," he was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
India has recorded over 4000 positive coronavirus cases so far, including 109 deaths.
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