Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact with chiefministers via video conference on Monday morning on the way ahead in the fightagainst the novel coronavirus, amid indications that the discussions could alsofocus on a graded exit from the ongoing lockdown.
This will be the third video conference of the prime ministerwith the chief ministers after the spread of the COVID-19 in the country.
Sources in the government indicated that besides discussingthe way forward in dealing with the pandemic, the discussion could also focuson a “graded” exit from the lockdown which is in place till May 3.
The Centre and the state governments have been givinggradual relaxation in various fields and sectors to boost economic activitiesas also to provide relief to people. But some states are willing to extend thelockdown beyond May 3 to ensure that coronavirus cases remain under control.
In his monthly ‘Mann ki Baat’ radio address on Sunday, theprime minister said the country is in the middle of a ‘yudh’ (war) and assertedthat people have to continue being careful and take precautions.
His note of caution comes against the backdrop of the Uniongovernment and states relaxing lockdown norms to revive economic activities.
“I urge you not to get overconfident. You should inyour over-enthusiasm not think that if the coronavirus has not yet reached yourcity, village, street or office, it is not going to reach now. Never make sucha mistake. The experience of the world tells us a lot in this regard,” hesaid.
Modi referred to a popular Hindi idiom ‘Sawdhani hati,durghatna ghati’ (accident happens when caution is lowered) to make his point.
The Centre has now allowed neighbourhood and standaloneshops, including those located in residential complexes, in urban areas to openduring the lockdown. But those in the markets continue to remain shut till May3.
In rural areas, all shops, except those in shopping malls,are allowed to open.
In a late night order on Friday, the Home Ministry also saidmalls continue to remain shut but markets in rural areas can open.
However, opening of shops located in COVID-19 hotspot andcontainment zones, sale of non-essential items by e-commerce platforms and saleof liquor continue to be prohibited.
In the last interaction on April 11, several chief ministershad recommended extension of the 21-day lockdown by two weeks, which was slatedto end on April 14 earlier.
On April 14, the prime minister had announced that thelockdown is being extended till May 3.
Before the lockdown was announced on March 24, the primeminister had interacted with the chief ministers on March 20 to discuss waysand means to check the spread of the novel coronavirus.