New Delhi (NVI): As per experts, the impact of coronavirus will remain visible in the coming months, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today in a virtual interaction with Chief Ministers, while asserting that social distancing will help in winning the long battle against the pandemic.
PM Modi today held a meeting with state CMs via video to discuss the emerging situation and plan ahead for tackling the COVID-19 pandemic.
Reiterating the mantra of ‘do gaz doori’, he said that “masks and face covers will become part of our lives in the days ahead”. He pointed out that many people are self-declaring whether they have cough and cold or symptoms, and that this is a welcome sign, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement after the meeting.
The Prime Minister also said that lockdown has yielded positive results as the country has managed to save thousands of lives in the past one and a half months.
“India’s population is comparable to that of the combined population of several countries. The situation in many countries, including India, was almost similar at the start of March. However, due to timely measures, India has been able to protect many people,” he said.
At the same time, he forewarned that the danger of the virus is far from over and constant vigilance is of paramount importance.
Chief Ministers of nine states– Meghalaya, Mizoram, Puducherry, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Odisha, Bihar, Haryana and Gujarat– participated during the virtual meeting, while the rest had the option to send the Chief Secretary as a representative.
The PM also said that the economy cannot be ignored as “we continue the fight against COVID-19”. He emphasized on the importance of usage of technology as much as possible and also to utilize time to embrace reform measures.
He emphasized on the significance of ensuring that more people download the AarogyaSetu app to bolster the efforts of the country in the battle against COVID-19.
He said: “we have to be brave and bring in reforms that touch the lives of common citizens.” He also suggested that people associated with Universities can be integrated on devising ways to fight the pandemic and strengthen research as well as innovation.
The PM highlighted the importance for states to enforce guidelines strictly in the hotspots i.e. the red zone areas. He stated that the efforts of the states should be directed towards converting the red zones into orange and thereafter to green zones.
The Prime Minister said that a final decision on the way forward can be taken only after May 3. He also indicated that lockdown will continue in hotspots while asking Chief Ministers to keep an action plan ready after considering the gravity of the situation in their respective states.
On the issue of getting back Indians who are overseas, the PM said that this has to be done keeping in mind the fact that they don’t get inconvenienced and their families are not under any risk. He also urged Chief Ministers to factor in the changes in weather – advent of summer and monsoon – and the illnesses that can potentially come in this season, while strategising ahead.
Home Minister Amit Shah, who also participated in the virtual interaction, reaffirmed the need to enforce lockdown so that maximum lives are saved.
During the meeting, the Chief Ministers highlighted the efforts undertaken by them in containing the virus. They spoke about the need to keep a close vigil on international borders, and also on addressing the economic challenge and ways to further boost health infrastructure. The leaders expressed gratitude towards the police force and medical staff for the exemplary work done by them in the fight against COVID-19.
This was the fourth such interaction of the Prime Minister with the Chief Ministers, the earlier ones had been held on 20th March, 2nd April and 11th April, 2020.
The 19-day extended lockdown will be over on May 3. The Centre has given some relaxations in the lockdown by allowing standalone shops across the country to open but restrictions are in place in containment zones.
The total number of coronavirus cases in India rose to 27,892 today with 872 fatalities so far.
