Government: No decision on lockdown extension Review meet tilts towards keeping curbs

People maintain social distance as they stand in queues to collect drinking water in Chennai on Tuesday during the lockdown. (PTI)

TT, 8.04.20, New Delhi: The Narendra Modi government on Tuesday indicated the countrywide lockdown could be extended till the end of this month, with sources claiming that a number of state governments and experts have requested a continuation.

The indication came after a meeting of the empowered group of ministers, led by defence minister Rajanth Singh, to review the situation and consider exit plans after the 21-day lockdown ends on April 14.

Officially, there was no word on the meeting but sources said the central government was “considering extending the lockdown”.

“A final call will be taken after another round of review just ahead of April 14. The Centre, however, is not against extending the lockdown to save the lives of citizens,” one source said.

Another source said that though a final view had not been taken but the “majority opinion” at the meeting was in favour of extending the lockdown.

“At the meeting today a detailed review of the situation in different states was done. In the end, the majority opinion was that the lockdown may have to be extended to contain the spread of the virus,” the source said. The source indicated the likelihood of the lockdown stretched till the end of April was high.

Lav Aggarwal, joint secretary, heath, who has emerged as the government’s chief spokesperson on Covid-19, however, said no decision on extending lockdown had been taken yet. “No decision on extending lockdown as yet, please don’t speculate,” Lav said at the daily briefing.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his video interactions with chief ministers, had stressed the need for a “staggered re-emergence of the population” or a gradual relaxation after the lockdown ends on April 14. At the same time, he had asked the states to “brainstorm and send suggestions” for the exit strategy.

Sources in the government said that a number of state governments had requested an extension of the lockdown but refrained from giving out the names of all the states. The sources said that “experts” (health experts) had also suggested extension of lockdown, saying the next two weeks would be “most vital” in containing the spread of infection.

Telangana chief minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao had said on Monday: “My personal opinion is that lockdown has to continue longer. We need to save lives, later we can save the economy.”

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath hasn’t said anything publicly but additional chief secretary Awanish Awasthi on Monday said: “When we open the lockdown, it will be after we have ensured that the state is corona-free.” He added that “even if one corona positive person is left, it will be difficult to open the lockdown”.

Sources in the government said most states badly affected by the virus want the strict lockdown measures to continue and even the less affected states favour a “systemic and scientific” approach to lifting the lockdown.

“Even lesser affected states are not in favour of resumption of normal life. They too are cautious and want a careful staggered lifting,” a source in the government said. “Considering all these views the majority seems to be in favour of extension till end of April,” the source added.

Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot, of the Congress, appeared to advocate a state-specific approach.

“We will have to see,” Gehlot said when asked whether the lockdown should continue. “There is curfew in several districts of Rajasthan. States will have to formulate their own strategies. States will work under central guidance but they will have to see the situation and then decide,” he added.

Sources in the BJP feel Prime Minister Narendra Modi was determined to make a name in the world by containing the spread of Covid-19 in India, so most ministers and chief ministers of BJP-ruled states want the lockdown to continue even if it means severe damage to the economy.

“Modiji has already said that India so far has set an example before the world by managing to contain coronavirus much better than many developed nations. To achieve the final goal, the only effective strategy is lockdown and I feel it will continue,” one senior BJP leader said.

“Imagine what a feat it would be if India manages to stave off the coronavirus with minimum damage,” the leader added.

In his address to BJP workers on Monday, Modi had said the battle against the virus would be a “long one”.