Odisha Becomes First State to Extend Lockdown Till April 30

Odisha Becomes First State to Extend Lockdown Till April 30

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India TodayNE
  • Apr 10, 2020,
  • Updated Apr 10, 2020, 12:48 AM IST

Bhubaneswar, April 9, 2020:

Odisha has become the first State in the country to extend the lockdown post April 14. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday announced that the State Government has decided to extend the lockdown till April 30.

This has come a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi informed about a meeting with the State Representatives on April 11 on the lockdown extension matter.

"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.

According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare's official figures on April 9, Odisha has 42 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus. This number includes one patient who succumbed to the infection and two individuals who recovered.

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The decision was announced after a cabinet meeting where the importance and need of the extension were discussed at length. Naveen Patnaik announced, "At this crucial juncture, one has to decide between protecting the lives of people and economic activity. We will recommend to Government of India to extend the national lockdown up to April 30. In addition to this, we will also request the Union Government not to start airline and railway services till April 30."

CM Naveen Patnaik added, "As regards people from Orissa who are stranded in various parts of the country, our intervention for their well-being will be through the concerned state governments. Odisha will take care of all the people who are stranded in Odisha."

The Odisha government will also take special measures for various sectors. Activities related to agriculture, animal husbandry and MGNREGS will be facilitated during the lockdown period following social distancing norms.

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"Coronavirus is the biggest threat that the human race has faced in more than a century. Life will not be the same ever. All of us must understand this and face it boldly together. With our sacrifice and with the blessings of the Lord Jagannath this too shall pass," said Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik while concluding his video message to the people of the state on Thursday. It may be mentioned here that educational institutions in the state will remain closed till June 17.

It is believed that PM Modi will consult the Chief Ministers of all the States via video-conferencing on the lockdown extension issue. He is also expected to address some pertinent issues related to the lifting of the lockdown. Earlier, PM Modi had said that there would be a staggered easing of the lockdown, which would be decided upon after reviewing each district on a case-by-case basis.

It is worth noting here that the Centre is contemplating the 21-day lockdown period that ends on March 14 that was earlier called by the PM to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Several state Governments are also said to be in favour of prolonging the extension of the lockdown, as there is a chance of resurgence of the spread if free movement and mass gatherings are allowed. Although the number of infections has steadied some, removal of restrictions is sure to accelerate the spread of the pandemic in the countries.

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