COVID-19: After Odisha and Punjab, more states plan extending lockdown

NEW DELHI: Punjab became the latest state to extend the lockdown after Odisha and more states have hinted that they intend to follow suit.

Most appear to favour a phased lifting of the lockdown in which educational institutions – schools and colleges – will continue to remain shut. Punjab has declared summer vacations.

The Punjab Government on Friday decided to extend the lockdown till May 1. The decision came a day after the Odisha government said on Tuesday it will extend the lock down till April 30.

The Tribune reports, “The decision, taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Capt. Amarinder Singh, will be conveyed to PM Narendra Modi at his video conference with CMs on Saturday.”

The government had imposed the lockdown from March 25 till April 14 to control the coronavirus outbreak.

Other states

Other states including Karnataka, Maharashtra and Kerala have said they are not in favour of lifting the lockdown all at once on April 14.

The Karnataka cabinet had rejected the proposal of an expert panel of doctors formed by it for “graded lifting” of the lockdown, preferring a complete lockdown till April 30. The Times of India quoted chief minister BS Yediyurppa saying: “The cabinet ministers have suggested extension of the full-scale lockdown to check the spread of COVID-19.” However, a final decision has not yet been taken. “We will take a final decision after consulting the PM,” he added.

Maharashtra also appears to favour continuing with the lockdown. “Due to a significant rise in the number of covid-19 cases, the Maharashtra government may consult with the centre on extending the lockdown period,” the Livemint reported,quoting an unnamed state government official.

“The Delhi government is also monitoring the situation, but the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is likely to take a decision on an extension only after the meeting with Modi,” The LiveMint added.

The Hindustan Times reports that along with Uttar Pradesh and Telangana, “Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Puducherry are also among others who have favoured an extension of the lockdown.”

Kerala is yet another state that wants the lockdown to remain till the COVID-19 situation stabilises. “We are in no hurry to reopen," Kerala finance minister Thomas Issac told The LiveMint.

Follow orders

The Kerala government had submitted a report to the Union government saying it wanted a staggered withdrawal of the lockdown so that the state was in a position to tackle the COVID-19 situation without straining its resources.

Meanwhile the Union Home Ministry has advised the district authorities to strictly comply with the orders in place to check the spread of coronavirus.

“It has been communicated to inform district authorities and field agencies on the specific prohibitions as mentioned in the Consolidated Guidelines on Lockdown Measures and that they should take all required precautionary/preventive measures for maintenance of law and order, peace and public tranquillity,” an official communiqué said on Friday.

Also read:

• Coronavirus: PG Medical duration extended to fight doctors’ shortage
• COVID-19 Lockdown: HRD Ministry seeks ideas to boost online education

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