In a six-hour long video conference on May 11 with the chief ministers on of all the Indian states and Union territories, Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed with them measures to tackle the coronavirus pandemic. He also took their opinions on whether the ongoing lockdown should be extended.?
PM Modi emphasised that until a vaccine is developed, social distancing is the biggest weapon in the fight against COVID-19.
In his opening remarks the Prime Minister said, "We now have reasonably clear indication as to the geographical spread of the pandemic in India, including the worst affected areas. Moreover, over the past few weeks, officials have understood operating procedures in a time such as this, right up to the District level."
The Prime Minister said that this understanding of the spread of COVID-19 will help the country in having a focussed fight against it.
"And therefore, we can now further focus our strategy in this battle against coronavirus, as should be the case. We have a twofold challenge - to reduce the transmission rate of the disease, and to increase public activity gradually, while adhering to all the guidelines, and we will have to work towards achieving both these objectives", he said.
Modi emphasised now the effort should be to stop the spread of the COVID-19 to rural areas.
The CMs, while appreciating Modi's leadership, also highlighted the need to strengthen the medical and health infrastructure in the country.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who has repeatedly drawn attention to the loss of revenue for the city-state, said economic activities should resume in the capital, except in coronavirus containment zones which are in strict lockdown to check the spread of the virus.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said any decision on the lockdown must be taken "cautiously", pointing to the recurrence of the virus in China's Wuhan, and predictions that in India it may peak in May, June or July. Maharashtra has the highest number of cases in the country and there is apprehension that resumption of economic activities could pose new risks.
Five states -- including Punjab and Assam -- have asked for an extension of the lockdown. Punjab's Amarinder Singh said, "My position is very strong. We must have a lockdown. We must have a strong lockdown. I will ensure a curfew". In case of a graded exit from the lockdown based on red, orange and green zones, state administrations should be allowed to decide where restrictions can be eased, he said.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E Palanisami and Andhra Pradesh's Jagan Mohan Reddy asked PM Modi not to resume flights and trains this month. Tamil Nadu has the country's fourth highest coronavirus cases.
Several of them pointed out that with the return of migrants, there is a need to concentrate on strict implementation of the social distancing guidelines, usage of masks and sanitization in order to curb the spread through fresh infection, especially in rural areas.
The Prime Minister said that we must understand that the world has fundamentally changed post COVID-19. Now the World will be Pre-Corona, Post-Corona just like the case of the World Wars. And this would entail significant changes in how we function.
PM Modi said that the country must plan for the new reality.
"Even as we look at the gradual withdrawal of the lockdown, we should constantly remember that till we do not find a vaccine or a solution, the biggest weapon with us to fight the virus is social distancing", he said.
He requested all the Chief Ministers for specific feedback lockdown.
"I request you all to share with me by 15th May, a broad strategy on how each one of you would want to deal with the lockdown regime in your particular states. I want states to make a blueprint on how to deal with various nuances during and after the gradual easing of the lockdown", he said.
COVID-19 cases in India have crossed the 70,000-mark with the death toll at 2,293. According to the Home Ministry, the recovery rate stands at 31.15 per cent.