COVID-19: States demand extension of lockdown post May 3

In the video conference meeting held on Monday with PM Modi, Chief Ministers of some states have suggested that the nationwide lockdown be extended post-May 3. The CMs have urged the Prime Minister for the same given the current COVID-19 situation in India.

New Delhi:Chief Ministers of Meghalaya, Puducherry, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Mizoram, Haryana, Bihar, Gujarat and Odisha discussed with PM Modi, strategies to fight the deadly virus.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday held a video conference meet with Chief Ministers of different states in order to discuss the COVID-19 situation in the country.

In this meeting, a few CMs, expressing deep concern over the current situation in the country, suggested that the nationwide lockdown be extended belong May 3. The Chief Ministers also called in for a cautious approach and strategic actions on the basis of the observations of Chief Ministers.

The coronavirus has already taken 872 lives in the country.

Below are the states that have requested for the extension of lockdown:

Maharashtra

With a rapid surge in the number of cases, the state government is likely to extend the lockdown beyond May 3.

Maharashtra

Gujarat

Gujarat has suggested that the government should extend lockdown in the best interests of the country. It has, however, said that it will abide by the government's decision in this matter.

Gujarat

Delhi

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal hinted at how difficult it would be to put an end to the lockdown given the current situation.

Delhi has been badly hit by the coronavirus outbreak with a rapid surge in the tally of cases. Several healthcare workers have also tested positive in the state.

Delhi

Odisha

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has suggested that a complete ban on public gatherings and visits to religious places should be imposed. Also, all educational institutions should be shut down for the time being. He further suggested the extension of lockdown for at least a month.

Patnaik urged the PM to take measures to get the economy going.

Odisha

Meghalaya

Meghalaya plans to continue lockdown after May 3, while giving relaxations in areas not affected by COVID-19.

Meghalaya

Himachal Pradesh

During the video conference meet with the PM, Himachal Pradesh CM Jairam Thakur suggested that lockdown should continue, but with the consultation of other states.

He added that economic activities across the country should also be started.

Himachal Pradesh

Puducherry

Puducherry CM V Narayanasamy also suggested that the government should extend the nationwide lockdown.

Puducherry

"Most of the CMs said the way in which cases are increasing, there should be a cautious approach & PM should take a call on the basis of observation of CMs. Most of the BJP-ruled states' CMs said that lockdown should be continued & economic activities be started slowly," said the CM.

Read:|PM Modi interacts with CMs on COVID-19 situation, lockdown exit strategy