After reports that Delhi may extend lockdown by two more weeks, five more states have also said if needed they were also ready to continue with the existing restrictions beyond May 3.
Odisha, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal and Punjab have reportedly said they were ready to extend the lockdown, at least in major hotspot areas, beyond May 3.
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Dr SK Sarin, Chairman of Delhi government’s committee on combating coronavirus, had on Saturday said, “India is still on the ascending limb of the epidemic curve and so, to ease the restrictions will mean the cases will multiply uncontrollably. And, Delhi has a large number of containment zones, so it will be wise to extend it,” as quoted by PTI.
“The lockdown will have to be extended till May 16 as that is when the epidemic curve is likely to start declining, which happens after the flattening of the curve,” he added.
According to the Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain there are 92 coronavirus containment zones in Delhi but the entire city is not under red zone.
The Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had said that lockdown would continue as usual in the national capital and there will no relaxation before a review meeting of experts on April 27.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope has said that the state could extend the lockdown in hotspots of Pune and Mumbai that account for 92 per cent of cases in the state by 15 days. According to the latest data by the Union Health Ministry, Maharashtra has reported 7,628 cases with 323 fatalities.
Maharashtra is followed by Gujarat ad Delhi with 3,071 and 2,625 cases respectively. India’s most populous state Uttar Pradesh will not allow opening of all shops except essential items.
Opposition ruled states including Punjab, Odisha and West Bengal are in favour of extending lockdown after May 3.
Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka have said that they would follow centre’s guidelines, while Bihar, Assam and Kerala said that the final call on lockdown will be taken after video conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday.
The Ministry of Home Affairs had on Friday relaxed some lockdown norms for states allowing all shops within limits of municipal corporations and municipalities registered under Shops and Establishment Act of respective state and union territory to open during lockdown expect in hotspot areas. The states and UTs have a choice to implement the guideline or continue with existing ones.
According to the latest update from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the number of coronavirus cases in India has soared past 26,000-mark with more than 800 fatalities.
(With Agency Inputs)
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