Centre keeps suspense on lockdown, states take measured steps

Whispers of an extended lockdown may soon turn into reality with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday (April 8) hinting at an extension of the April 14 deadline of the current lockdown, at a video conference with leaders of all parties. States in that case, will be expected to brace up to deal with scenarios which may arise after the last day of the lockdown.

The number of COVID-19 cases in the country rose to 5,194 (as of data on Wednesday) while the death toll rose to 149.

Earlier in a meeting with Modi on April 2, chief ministers of states like Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana and Rajasthan wanted the Centre to extend the lockdown in view of rising COVID-19 cases.

Sources said the Centre is going through the requests from states and experts on extending the lockdown. Modi is slated to have another round of discussion with chief ministers on April 11, official sources said on Wednesday (April 8).

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Maharashtra, which has reported both the highest number of cases (1,018) and fatalities (79) in the country will take a decision on extending the lockdown only after April 14. Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray who held a meeting with his cabinet on Tuesday, said he was not in favour of taking a decision regarding the extension before the first lockdown gets over.

Thackeray while addressing the public via a live telecast on Wednesday urged people to wear masks while venturing out to buy essentials or later when the situation improves. He urged former defence health service personnel, nurses and ward boys to help the government in the ‘war’ against coronavirus and said separate clinics for cough, cold and fever will be set up in every ward apart from ‘COVID hospitals’.

Kerala, a key hotspot of COVID-19 which is second to Maharashtra in reporting the maximum number of deaths (70) in the country, may extend the lockdown in phases.

A 17-member expert committee of the Kerala government, has proposed the Centre to extend the lockdown in a phased manner spread over three months.

While districts will qualify for the phases according to the COVID-19 cases they report, the government may make wearing of masks in public mandatory, cut down on passenger count in buses and initiate rapid testing and screening of those who come from other states when borders open, as part of the restrictions.

The committee has also suggested that restrictions be continued in commercial, industrial, religious and cultural activities in seven COVID-19 hotspots of the state.

The state which has been under lockdown since March 23, two days ahead of the national lockdown, may resume it if the infection rate goes up, news reports said.

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Monday requested the Centre to extend the lockdown and said it would be otherwise difficult to contain the spread of coronavirus in view of the country’s poor health infrastructure.

While his government is yet to announce an extension, the state health department on Wednesday declared 100 places in the state as COVID-19 hotspots and quarantined residents of these areas for 14 days.

The hotspots will not open even after the lockdown deadline of April 14 elapses.

Speaking to Times of India, state health director Dr G Srinivas Rao said the state is keeping a close eye on districts like Adilabad, Nizamabad, Suryapet, Gadwal, Mahbubnagar, Kamareddy and Khammam, which are witnessing a surge in cases.

In view of the COVID-19 situation, the Hyderabad High Court on Tuesday extended the lockdown of courts to April 30.

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The total number of cases in the state stands at 364 with 35 mortalities.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that the government may extend the lockdown if the need arises while Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has said that the lockdown should be withdrawn in a phased manner.

It is likely that the Rajasthan government will continue the lockdown in specific hotspots.

In an editorial published in The Hindu on April 8, Gehlot said “ruthless containment” is the key to check the spread of the virus

Dubbing the Corona Containment Programme in Rajasthan as the most proactive, he said Bhilwara, which was once an epicentre of COVID-19 infections is now a case study in containing the spread of the virus.

He said the government imposed a lockdown of such hotspots and implemented the Triple-T method (tracing, testing and treatment) and succeeded in curbing the number of infections in the district. The same procedure is being followed for the entire state, where more than five lakh people have been screened, he wrote.

While Delhi has recorded 576 cases so far, the government is yet to take a call on extending the lockdown. The Tamil Nadu government on the other hand has been reportedly mum on the matter. The state has reported 690 cases of COVID-19 so far.

The extension of the lockdown is likely in Uttar Pradesh which too has seen a spike in cases (to 326) after the identification of at least 168 people who had attended the Tablighi Jamaat meet in New Delhi.

During an interaction with floor leaders of various political parties, who have representation in Parliament, on Wednesday, Modi said the situation in the country is akin to a social emergency which has necessitated tough decisions.

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According to an official statement, he said states, district administrations and experts have suggested extension of the lockdown to contain the spread of the virus. During his April 2 interaction with chief ministers, Modi had pitched for a “staggered” exit from the ongoing lockdown. Before the lockdown was announced on March 24, the prime minister had interacted with the chief ministers on March 20 to discuss means to check the spread of the deadly virus.