Coronavirus: PM Modi likely to announce lockdown extension on Sunday

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in all probability will announce on Sunday evening whether the nationwide lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus will be prolonged beyond 14th April.

The ultimate decision on the lockdown will be taken when the Prime Minister interacts with chief ministers of all states on Saturday through videoconferencing. There have been signs that the centre is likely to extend the lockdown across the country after many states also pitched for it.

The lockdown, if prolonged, could however come with some relaxations as a prolonged lockdown may lead to massive economic backlash. Interstate movement will remain restricted, excluding essential services, sources said.

The state of Odisha on Thursday had become the first state to widen the lockdown till 30th April, just two days before the meeting between the Prime Minister and chief ministers.

Other chief ministers, including K Chandrashekar Rao, have also made a strong point for the extension. "The Centre and all other state governments have lost revenue during the lockdown period. The only positive outcome of this is that we are able to protect our people."

K Chandrashekar Rao also referred to a study by the Boston Consulting Group, which said extension of the lockdown should be at least till the end of June. “Lockdown is the only weapon we have to control the spread of this disease and avoid a situation which countries like the US, Spain and Italy are facing," he said.

The Maharashtra government, in the meantime, is likely to ask the Centre to revoke the lockdown in phases, where supply of essential services are streamlined first, sectors that can’t count on work from home are opened next, while local trains, schools and colleges should stay shut for longer.

CM Uddhav Thackeray had tweeted after the previous meeting with the Prime Minister that the centre also wants that the lockdown shouldn’t be revoked at once, but it should happen in phases. “Precautions should be taken that there is no crowding," he said.

PM Modi during all party meeting told floor leaders of opposition and other parties in Parliament that the lockdown will not be revoked at once on 14th April. As per BJD’s Pinaki Misra.

However the centre has not made any asssersion thus far if it is going to extend the current lockdown or not.

Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan stated that his government will prolong the lockdown if the need emerges, while, Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot stated the state cannot withdraw the lockdown at once, and it has to be done gradually.

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