Lockdown to be Extended across the Nation for 2 More Weeks?

New Delhi, April 11, 2020:

Although an official announcement is yet to be made, it has just been reported that the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, has likely extended the lockdown for a further period of 14 days. The 21-day lockdown that was called last month will come to an end on April 14.

According to top official sources that the decision was reportedly taken during a 4-hour meeting with the CMs of all states wherein Modi declared "jaan hai toh jahaan hai" (if there is life, there is the universe).

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The PM emphasized on social distancing, and hinted at a staggered exit from the lockdown that has brought the entire nation screeching to a halt in its aftermath. Meanwhile, it has been reported that the CMs have urged the Prime Minister to re-open the rural economy that has taken a severe jolt in light of the lockdown.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who took part in the video conference, has meanwhile said that the PM has already decided to extend the lockdown period. "PM has taken correct decision to extend lockdown. Today, India’s position is better than many developed countries because we started lockdown early. If it is stopped now, all gains would be lost. To consolidate, it is imp to extend it", he wrote on social media after the conclusion of the conference.

It is pertinent to mention here that the PM is likely to make the formal announcement later today in an address to the nation. Agriculture industry is likely to be exempted from the lockdown.

Meanwhile, Punjab has joined Odisha and announced the extension of lockdown in the State till May 1 in a bid to contain the COVID-19.

As Punjab saw a sharp increase in the COVID-19 cases (132), Punjab Government, led by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh decided to extend the lockdown till May 1.

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The Punjab Government has apprehensions that the State will soon enter the phase of community transmission and therefore the decision was adopted.

“The decision was taken at a meeting of the council of ministers, chaired by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, to check community spread of the coronavirus pandemic and to prevent overcrowding at the Mandis in the light of the ensuing wheat harvesting/procurement season,” the Punjab Government said in a statement.

It may be mentioned here that Odisha on Thursday extended the lockdown till April 30. “During ongoing lockdown period amid Covid-19 crisis, your discipline and sacrifice has provided us the strength to fight Covid-19,” said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in his video message.

Meanwhile, India continues to see an uptick of cases of the COVID-19; cases have crossed 7,000 and over 200 people have died so far.

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