New Delhi (NVI): The Central government is considering extension of the 21-day lockdown by at least two weeks beyond April 14 as most Chief Ministers today made a suggestion in this regard during their video conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Some states like Punjab, Odisha and Maharashtra have already announced extension of the lockdown till April 30 as the number of coronavirus cases continues to rise, with the death toll also increasing.
“During the video-conferencing on #coronavirusinindia with state CMs today, most states requested PM @narendramodi to extend the lockdown for 2 more weeks. The Central Government is considering this request,” central government spokesman K S Dhatwalia tweeted.
#IndiaFightsCoronavirus #21daylockdown :
During the video-conferencing on #coronavirusinindia with state CMs today,
most states requested PM @narendramodi to extend the lockdown for 2 more weeks.The Central Government is considering this request.
— K.S. Dhatwalia (@DG_PIB) April 11, 2020
The extension of the lockdown till April 30 was supported by chief ministers of at least seven states.
Several chief ministers, including Punjab’s Amarinder Singh and Delhi’s Arvind Kejriwal, had suggested extending the lockdown at least by a fortnight.
“PM has taken correct decision to extend lockdown. Today, India’s position is better than many developed countries because we started lockdown early. If it is stopped now, all gains would be lost. To consolidate, it is imp to extend it,” Kejriwal tweeted.
PM has taken correct decision to extend lockdown. Today, India’s position is better than many developed countries because we started lockdown early. If it is stopped now, all gains would be lost. To consolidate, it is imp to extend it
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) April 11, 2020
Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackarey also said in the meeting that lockdown in his state will be extended till April 30.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee supported the suggestion to extend the lockdown to curb the virus spread and said that, “We are also on same page with PM, want lockdown extended till April 30.”
The current lockdown, which was announced on March 24, is scheduled to end on April 14.
So far, a total of 7,447 infections have been recorded, with a total of 239 deaths in the country. In addition to this, 642 people have been cured and have recovered, according to Health Ministry data.
