Bhubaneswar: Maintaining that India’s fight against the Corona global pandemic is moving ahead with great strength and steadfastness, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced extension of national lockdown till May 3 to effectively contain the spread of Coronavirus (Covid-19).
“I have been in continuous touch with the States on how the fight against Corona should progress in India. Everyone has suggested that the lockdown should be continued. Many States have in fact already decided and declared to continue the lockdown. Keeping all the suggestions in mind, it has been decided that the lockdown in India will have to be extended till May 3,” said the Prime Minister during his address to the nation on the last day of the 21-day national lockdown which came into force on March 25.
That means, Modi said, “Until May 3, each and every one of us will have to remain in the lockdown. During this time, we must continue maintaining discipline in the way we have been doing till now.”
“Until April 20, every town, police station, district, and State will be evaluated on how much the lockdown is being followed. The extent to which the region has protected itself from Coronavirus will be noted. Areas that will succeed in this litmus test, which will not be in the hotspot category, and will have less likelihood to turn into a hotspot; maybe allowed to open up select necessary activities from April 20 subject to certain conditions,” added Modi.
The Prime Minister made it clear that the provision of the limited exemption in these identified areas after April 20 has been done keeping in mind the livelihood of poor people.
Modi said that from having only one testing lab for Coronavirus in January, we now have more than 220 functional testing labs.
“Global experience shows that 1,500-1,600 beds are required for every 10,000 patients. In India, we have arranged more than 1 Lakh beds today. Not only this, there are more than 600 hospitals which are dedicated for Covid treatment. As we speak, these facilities are being increased even more rapidly,” said Modi.
He also requested India’s young scientists – to come forward and take a lead in creating a vaccine for Coronavirus; for the welfare of the world and also of the human race.
