Centre Almost Set For Extension Of COVID-19 Lockdown Beyond April 14th  

HYDERABAD: After extensive deliberations and enough speculations, the Central government appears to be moving in the direction of extending the ongoing nationwide 21-day lockdown beyond April 14th as part of the fight against Coronavirus. A top government source indicates to this effect in the wake of a nationwide debate on this most contentious issue.

The source in the national capital Delhi revealed on Tuesday that many State governments and experts have formally put forward their appeals to the Centre seeking extension of the lockdown beyond April 14th. Keeping in view the spike in the numbers of both COVID-19 cases and fatalities from the disease, chief ministers of at least six states are under the firm belief that things could go horribly wrong if the lockdown is lifted so soon. In what assumes greater significance, the source revealed that the Centre is also considering the extension.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday that people have to be prepared for the long haul to fight against the highly contagious virus. At a cabinet meeting, he has requested the ministers to come up with a graded plan.

Union Minister Prakash Javedekar, who was a part of the meeting, said that a decision is yet to be taken. This decision would be taken at the right time and in the national interest, he added."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," Javadekar said, adding that an empowered group of officials is assessing the situation.

Within hours of this, Chief Minister of Telangana K Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) on Monday evening categorically stated that he favours the extension of lockdown. He said that he had also appealed to the prime minister to this effect during their telephonic conversations. He said it would be better if the Centre extends the lockdown period in view of the rapidly growing number of Coronavirus cases across the country.

"My personal opinion is that lockdown has to continue longer. We need to save lives, later we can save the economy," KCR said on Monday evening.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said that instead of calling off the lockdown, the Centre should go for the withdrawal in a phased manner. The Assamese government said that they would support any decision taken by the government for a systematic and scientific withdrawal of the lockdown.

"We have consulted within the state on what should be the mode of withdrawal of lockdown. We don't want that everything should be opened on 15th April morning. We want it to be a systematic and scientific withdrawal of lockdown so that the benefits during the lockdown aren't wasted in a single day," said Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka were the other states who echoed a similar sentiment on the issue.

"In my opinion, these red zones should continue to be in a lockdown situation at least for two weeks...say, till this month-end. I will request them (the Centre) to do this," said Karnataka minister Sudhakar K. Awanish Awasthi, Additional Chief Secretary, Uttar Pradesh, said: "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."

In Monday's cabinet meeting that happened over a video link, Prime Minister Modi said that the government should work on a war-footing to mitigate the fallout of Coronavirus and ministries should prepare a graded plan "to slowly open departments where there are no hotspots".

India has recorded over 4,400 Coronavirus cases as of now and the number includes 114 deaths.

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