The 21-day lockdown implemented in India to check the spread of COVID-19 will continue to be in place till May 3.
Announcing this in a televised address to nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that all the states will be scrutinized on how effectively they have dealt with containing the virus and those states which have done well may see conditional relaxations being given April 20 onwards.
Here are the key takeaways-
– 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 Narendra Modi
– Even when India did not have a single coronavirus patient, India had begun screening passengers at the airports from COVID-19 affected countries.
– When India had 550 coronavirus cases, we went for a 21-day lockdown to prevent spread of the virus
– Though it is not the correct time to draw a comparison between India and other nations, but it is noteworthy that our situation could have been beyond imagination if we had not taken the correct steps in time.
– At this time, the path we have taken is the right one. Social-distancing and lockdown is the right approach.
– Economically it has impacted us but it can’t be compared to the cost of lives of Indian citizens.
– A detailed guideline on lockdown will be issued on April 15.
– Till 20th April, all districts, localities, states will be closely monitored, as to how strictly they are implementing norms. States which will not let hotspots increase, they could be allowed to let some important activities resume, but with certain conditions.
– COVID-19 testing is being done in over 220 labs. According to world’s experience of tackling COVID-19, 1500-1600 beds are needed when cases reach 10,000. We have over 1 lakh beds in India and over 600 hospitals for treating COVID patients. We’re expanding these facilities.
Before concluding PM Modi asked for people’s support in 7 steps-
1. First- Take care of the elders at home.
2. Second- Lockdown and social distancing must be followed. Use face masks.
3. Third- Follow tips to improve your immunity by following directions given by Ayush Ministry.
4. Fourth- Download Aarogya Setu app, and tell others about it as well.
5. Fifth- Help the poor and needy.
6. Sixth- Support those working with you – don’t remove anyone from employment.
7. Seventh- Please respect and honour the coronavirus warriors- doctors, nurses, sanitation workers.
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Prior to this, the Prime Minister had on Saturday held consultations with Chief Ministers through video-conferencing, during which talks were held over the need for extending the lockdown further after taking into consideration the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the country.
Talking about the way ahead post the end of the 21-day lockdown period, PM Modi had said that the coming three to four weeks would be critical in determining the impact of steps taken to curb the spread of the disease and had also suggested specific measures for agriculture and allied sectors, including those needed to facilitate the sale of farm produce.
Three weeks ago in his address to the nation in which he announced the lockdown in the country, Prime Minister Modi had talked of ‘Jaan Hai to Jahaan Hai,‘ stressing the urgent need to save lives.
Several States such as Odisha, Maharashtra, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Arunachal Pradedh among others have already announced the extension of lockdown taking into account the rising number of cases in the respective States.
As per the latest figures, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country has reached 10,363 with the death toll at 339.
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