As India enters the final week of the lockdown, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday conveyed to chief ministers that the country will have to give importance to the economy as well as continue the fight against the novel coronavirus.
In a video conference with the chief ministers, fourth suchinteraction since March 22 when he first spoke to them on the pandemic, Modialso highlighted the importance for states to enforce prescribed guidelinesstrictly in the coronavirus hotspots, the government said in a statement.
The prime minister underlined that the nationwide lockdownhas “yielded positive results as the country has managed to save thousandsof lives in the past one and a half months”, it said.
“Prime Minister said that the country has seen two Lockdownstill now, both different in certain aspects, and now we have to think of theway ahead. He said that as per experts, the impact of coronavirus will remainvisible in the coming months,” the statement added.
Modi also said that masks and face covers will become partof lives of people in the days ahead, adding everyone’s aim must be to ensurerapid response under the current circumstances.
He emphasised on the importance of the use of technology asmuch as possible, and also to utilise time to embrace reform measures.
The prime minister said at the virtual meeting that India’spopulation is comparable to that of the combined population of severalcountries.
“The situation in many countries, including India, wasalmost similar at the start of March. However, due to timely measures, Indiahas been able to protect many people,” the statement said quoting theprime minister.
He, however, forewarned that the danger of the virus is farfrom over and constant vigilance is of paramount importance, it said.
He also urged the chief ministers to factor in the changesin weather – advent of summer and monsoon – and the illnesses that canpotentially come in this season, while strategising ahead.
Citing experts, the prime minister said the impact ofcoronavirus will remain visible in the coming months. Reiterating the mantra of’do gaz doori’ (maintaining distance of two yards) he said that masks and facecovers will become part of our lives in the days ahead.
The lockdown was first announced by Modi on March 24 in a bidto combat the coronavirus endemic. It was further extended till May 3.
He highlighted the importance for states to enforceguidelines strictly in the hotspots or the red zone areas.
He said that the efforts of the states should be directedtowards converting the red zones into orange and thereafter to green zones.
On the issue of getting back Indians from foreign countries,he said that this has to be done keeping in mind the fact that they don’t getinconvenienced and their families are not under any risk, the statement said.
The chief ministers praised the leadership of the primeminister during this period of crisis, and also highlighted the effortsundertaken by them in containing the virus, according to the statement.
“They spoke about the need to keep a close vigil oninternational borders, and also on addressing the economic challenge and waysto further boost health infrastructure,” it said without elaborating.
The leaders also expressed gratitude towards the policeforce and medical staff for the exemplary work done by them in the fightagainst COVID-19.
Among those present at the virtual meet, included HomeMinister Amit Shah, Health Minister Harsh Vardhan and top officials from thePMO and the Union Health Ministry.
The chief ministers who attended the meeting included ArvindKejriwal (Delhi), Uddhav Thackeray (Maharashtra), E K Palaniswami (Tamil Nadu),Conrad Sangma (Meghalaya) Trivendra Singh Rawat (Uttarakhand) and YogiAdityanath (Uttar Pradesh).
According to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’soffice, he did not participate in the video conference as only nine chiefministers had the opportunity to interact.
The state was represented by Chief Secretary Tom Jose andAdditional Chief Secretary Vishwas Mehta at the video conference. Shah hadspoken to the chief minister on Sunday and had asked Kerala to givesuggestions, which were sent.
Modi said under the circumstances, everyone’s aim must berapid response.
He pointed out that many people are self-declaring whetherthey have cough and cold or symptoms, which was a welcome sign. He alsoemphasised on the need for more people to download the Aarogya Setu mobile appto bolster the efforts to fight COVID-19.
The prime minister said “we have to be brave and bring inreforms that touch the lives of common citizens.”
He also suggested that people associated with universitiescan be integrated on devising ways to fight the pandemic and strengthenresearch as well as innovation.
At the interaction, Shah reaffirmed the need to enforcelockdown so that maximum lives are saved, the statement said.