Coronavirus Lockdown: Odisha extends deadline, other states might too

NEW DELHI: Odisha has extended the lockdown in the state till April 30 as more states prefer lifting it in a phased manner.

Asia News International, or ANI, in a newsflash on its website said, “#COVID19: Odisha extends lockdown till April 30th, the first state to do so.”

“All schools and colleges in Odisha will remain closed till 17 June,” the Quint reported.

Odisha’s decision comes a day after the prime minister interacted with floor leaders of political parties in parliament, via video conference. An official statement from the Press Information Bureau quoted the Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying that “several state governments, district administrations and experts have asked for extension of the phase of lockdown.”

The 21-day lockdown ends on April 14.

Centre’s stand

The NDTV reported that a meeting of a group of ministers (GoM), proposed that all educational institutions, religious centres and shopping malls should remain closed for another four weeks from April 14.

If the number of cases multiply manifold by April 11-12, the lockdown could be extended by another four weeks, a senior official told India Today.

The GoM’s other suggestions included restricting inter-state movement and availability of public transport plus restricted access in offices to avoid public gatherings as much as possible.

The Prime Minister had set up an expert committee on strategy for easing the lockdown restrictions. He will also hold a video-conference with chief ministers on April 11 to seek their views.

What states want

More and more states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana and Rajasthan want an extension of lockdown as COVID-19 cases have been on the rise over the last week.

A committee set up by the Kerala government suggested a phased withdrawal of the lockdown. It recommended that “universities, schools and colleges be opened ONLY for the purpose of holding examinations.”

The Bangalore Mirror reported that a panel of doctors set up by the Karnataka government recommended a staggered lockdown along with complete shutdown in districts with a high number of infections.

The panel has also suggested extending the closure of educational institutions and avoiding air-conditioned buses, inter-state bus service, metro, railway and air services till May 31.

The chief minister BS Yediyurappa will forward the panel’s report to the union government to take a decision, The Bangalore Mirror report said.

Television channels have quoted the information and broadcasting minister, Prakash Javadekar, saying that a decision would be taken "in the national interest at the right time.”

India has reached 5734 COVID-19 cases as on April 9. The death toll has climbed to 166.

Odisha Cabinet headed by CM @Naveen_Odisha decided to extend the state lockdown till April 30th & recommended Union Government to extend the national lockdown till then. CM requested the GoI not to start train & air services during the lockdown. #OdishaFightsCorona pic.twitter.com/2hjTGqR0y6

— CMO Odisha (@CMO_Odisha) April 9, 2020

Also read:

• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak: Latest Updates
• COVID-19 Lockdown: Several states for keeping schools, colleges closed

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