COVID-19: The Danger Of Coronavirus Is Far From Over, PM Modi Tells CMs

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi told chief ministers on Monday to focus on a graded exit from the national lockdown from May 3 and plan for a step-by-step revival of economic activity in green zones that haven’t reported Covid-19 cases. The focus of the meeting remained on boosting the economy, rather than on lockdown extension, sources said.

PM Modi, who was speaking at his fourth interaction via video conference with chief ministers on the Covid-19 challenge, underlined that the country had to think of the way ahead, beyond May 3, when the second round of the national lockdown ends.

Among those present at the virtual meet, included Home Minister Amit Shah, Health Minister Harsh Vardhan and top officials from the PMO and Union Health Ministry.

PM Modi underlined that the Lockdown has yielded positive results as the country has managed to save thousands of lives in the past one and a half months.

He added that India’s population is comparable to that of the combined population of several countries. The situation in many countries, including India, was almost similar at the start of March. However, due to timely measures, India has been able to protect many people.

He, however, forewarned that the danger of the virus is far from over and constant vigilance is of paramount importance.

He highlighted the importance for states to enforce guidelines strictly in the hotspots i.e. the red zone areas. He stated that the efforts of the states should be directed towards converting the red zones into orange and thereafter to green zones.

The signal to the States, many of whom had asked for an extension of the lockdown, was clear — that any exit from would be graded, and would take into account caseload and virulence.

PM Modi emphasised the importance of restarting economy along with the fight against COVID-19 — suggesting that India needs to focus on a two-pronged approach to preserve public health and revive economic activities.

PM Modi called for using the crisis to push for various reforms and called upon the states to firm up Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for restarting manufacturing in a graded manner in Green Zones.

“We have to be brave and bring in reforms that touch the lives of common citizens,” he said. PM Modi did not elaborate on the reforms that he had in mind.

PM Modi also underlined the plight of migrant workers and asked chief ministers to take special care of workers from other states and ease their hardship.

The government has been reluctant to facilitate the return of millions of migrant workers on grounds that mass travel can take the infection to unaffected areas. Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray has repeatedly asked for special trains to be run to let the migrant workers return home. Some other states have offered to run buses.

PM Modi didn’t rule out the Centre’s approval but appeared to message that states should assess how they would be able to run the factories and industrial units in the absence of the migrant workers.

The meeting concluded after a span of almost three hours. During the dialogue, PM Modi made the following comments:

• PM Modi has said in the meeting that the collective efforts by the Center and the states are showing the effect
• He said that the lockdown has proven effective and we are getting the benefit of it
• India is in a better position than other countries at the time of the pandemic
• Wearing of masks and the formula of ‘do gaz doori’ must be the new norms as the impact of COVID-19 will remain visible in coming months
• We have to give importance to the economy as well as continue the fight against COVID-19, PM Narendra Modi told chief ministers
• The focus of the meeting remained on boosting the economy, rather than on lockdown extension, sources said.
• Efforts of states should be directed towards converting COVID-19 red zones into orange and then to green zones
• The danger of COVID-19 is far from over and hence constant vigilance is of paramount importance: PM to CMs
  Chief Ministers of all the states made suggestions in discussions regarding lockdown with the Prime Minister

Here’s what the chief ministers said:

* Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma said he will continue with the lockdown in the state even after May 3 with restrictions on inter-state and inter-district movement and relaxation for medical emergencies and essential services.

* Mizoram’s Zoramthanga talked about how religiously they are following lockdown and said they will continue to follow directives of the Centre.

* Puducherry chief minister V Narayanasamy sought intervention from the Centre for providing personal protective equipment (PPEs) and other medical equipment. He asked for financial aid and grants to fight Covid-19 and starting of industries post lockdown.

* Uttarakhand’s Trivendra Singh Rawat said business and trade activities should start in a phased manner with a focus on following all precautionary measures. He said governments should slowly come to ease people’s life by turning the situation to normal. Rawat added that all development work in the state is already continuing, including MGNREGA. Economic revival is key to moving forward, he said.

* Himachal CM Jai Ram Thakur said that they are now in a position to start economic activities. He said the decision over the lockdown should be taken in consultation and consideration of other states. He said his government has reached out to the people through Anganwadi centres to create sensitisation. “We have been aggressively testing people with symptoms because bordering states have reported cases. We are very happy that 12 districts of Himachal have no positive case,” he said. Thakur also talked about how the state has reached out to financially aid the poor and needy. He said that the state is prepared to tackle the challenge.

* Odisha’s Naveen Patnaik had several suggestions and said the national lockdown should continue but important activities should be allowed. Patnaik said public gatherings, religious and educational institution must be completely stopped and urged for economic activities within the states only. He also urged the Centre to relook to initiate measures to kickstart the economy as “we work together to curb the disease.”

* Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani briefed PM Modi on the Covid-19 situation in his state and said that till April 17 over 22,000 tests have been done and in the last 10 days another 28,000 tests done. “We have ramped up our facilities in the last 10 days and all positive cases are being treated. Door to door testing continues in hotspot areas of the State. We are increasing beds in COVID care centre. We have adequate medical facilities to tackle the challenge of COVID,” he said. The Gujarat CM said in hotspots areas of the state and after Nizamuddin incident Surat, Vadodara and Ahmadabad, they have increased surveillance and started treatment of affected people.

* Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar said containment zones are left, in rest of the areas, we have started industries and trade activities, with over 4 lakh people involved. “We have also started farming activities by following all protocols and social distance is maintained. We have started online classes for higher classes. The inter-district and inter-state movement will remain closed. We will follow any decision taken by the government of India for lockdown,” Khattar said.

from League of India