New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after a video conference with the Chief Ministers of all Indian states earlier Saturday, decided to extend the national lockdown for two more weeks till April 30 in light of the rise in postive COVID-19 cases across the country..
Although not officially announced yet, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal was the first to break the news on social media.
“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,” Kejriwal said in a tweet.
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
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) April 11, 2020
India imposed lockdown till April 14 due to Coronavirus and most of the states had demanded its extension.
The CMs also seemed to agree on opening up the rural economy, especially grain markets. The suggestions included continuing the lockdown of airports, railway stations and metro trains.
There were indications that the Prime Minister’s Office is contemplating a graded lifting of lockdown measures, and marking the country into red, yellow and green zones, depending on the severity of the coronavirus spread.
PNN