Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced the extension of a nationwide lockdown till May 3 to contain the spread of Covid-19 as the number of novel coronavirus cases surged past 10,000-mark on Tuesday. Hinting at partial relief, however, the Prime Minister said there could be some relaxations after April 20 in places where there is no hotspot.
Lockdown 2.0 will come into force from April 14 till May 3, PM Modi said in a televised address to the nation on Tuesday. The 19-day extension of the lockdown till May 3 is an attempt to contain the spread of novel coronavirus which has affected over 10,000 people in India.
PM Modi said the Centre will closely monitor hotspots in states across India and added that those areas where there are no hotspots will get partial relief. “Till April 20, all districts, localities, states will be closely monitored, as to how strictly they are implementing norms. States where hotspots are contained could be allowed to resume some important activities, but with certain conditions,” the PM said.
Detailed guidelines on extension of the coronavirus lockdown will be issued on Wednesday, the PM added. The Prime Minister began his address by lauding the efforts of Indians in the fight against novel coronavirus. “Covid-19 is spreading fast but India’s fight against coronavirus is going strong. It is because of your efforts that we are able to put up a fight,” the PM said as he thanked people for their co-operation.
PM Modi said India received huge benefits from the 21-day lockdown in checking the pandemic and added that the country has dealt with the situation better with limited resources. “People have gone through hardships to save India. I know how many difficulties you faced. I respectfully bow to the people of India for their sacrifice,” PM Modi said.
The national lockdown first came into force from March 25 when the PM took an unprecedented measure in the fight against Covid-19. The lockdown was scheduled to end on Tuesday.
States pushed for lockdown 2.0
The decision to extend the lockdown followed after a broad consensus emerged that the national lockdown should be extended by at least two weeks following a meeting between PM Modi and state chief ministers on Saturday.
It was reportedly after this meet with the Prime Minister that it was decided that the nationwide lockdown will be extended to tackle the spread of Coivid-19. The extension request from states came despite concerns that the shutdown will put millions out of work. Several states had, however, pushed for resumption of some economic activities like in the farming sector in areas where no cases of the novel coronavirus have been reported.
All that happened till now
Prime Minister Modi first addressed the nation on March 19 as the coronavirus pandemic emerged as a serious concern for the country. In his televised address, the PM asked the people to observe ‘Janata Curfew’ for March 22. The Prime Minister urged Indians to remain indoors as much as possible as he suggested ways to battle the coronavirus pandemic.
On March 24, the Prime Minister came back and announced a 21-day lockdown across the country. In his second address, PM Modi said the step was taken as it was the only way to break the chain of infection. The lockdown was to be in effect till April 14.
PM Modi later asked citizens to make noise at 5 pm to show their appreciation for medics, nurses and sanitation workers. This call was well received as Indians came out to clap, clang metal vessels and ring bells to cheer workers battling the spread of the coronavirus.
Ten days into the lockdown, the Prime Minister addressed the nation again and asked people to light candles, lamps and hold mobile phone torches for nine minutes from 9 pm on April 5 to demonstrate a collective will to fight coronavirus.
Box
Seven things the PM wants citizens to do:
1 Take care of old people, senior citizens
2 Use home-made masks sincerely
3 Download Aarogya Setu App and ask others to download too
4 Take care of poor people, their food needs and other things
5 Don't snatch anybody's job
6 Respect people who are helping us in this tough time like healthcare workers, sanitation workers and the police.
7 With all dedication, follow the lockdown till May 3. Stay wherever you are and be safe.
Death toll rises to 353
The death toll due to coronavirus rose to 353 with 29 fatalities reported since Monday evening, while the number of cases jumps to 10,815, according to the union health ministry. Twenty nine deaths have been reported since Monday evening of which 11 deaths have been reported from Maharashtra, seven from Madhya Pradesh, four from Delhi, three from Karnataka, two from Andhra Pradesh and one each from Punjab and Telangana.
Of the total deaths, Maharashtra tops the tally with 160 fatalities, Madhya Pradesh 50, Delhi 28, Gujarat 26, Telengana 17, Punjab 12, Tamil Nadu 11 while Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka have reported nine deaths each. West Bengal reported seven deaths while five died in Uttar Pradesh. J&K reported four deaths, while Kerala, Haryana and Rajasthan recorded three each. Jharkhand two, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Odisha and Assam reported one fatalities each.
