‘Have to give importance to economy also, continue fight against COVID-19’
United News of India
New Delhi, Apr 27: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday indicated that the COVID-19 lockdown could continue beyond May 3 in parts of the country, including hot spots and red zones, worst affected by the pandemic.
In a video meeting with Chief Ministers, PM Modi called for an exit plan from each state based on red, orange and green coding of districts according to the number of COVID-19 cases. But even as the districts with fewer cases reopened for business, the PM said, masks and “Do gaz doori (six feet apart)” would continue to be a way of life for times to come.
Addressing worries that the extended lockdown would come at a great cost, the Prime Minister told the Chief Ministers: “There is no need to worry on the economy front, our economy is good. We have to give importance to the economy as well as continue the fight against Covid-19.”
This was the fourth such interaction of the Prime Minister with the Chief Ministers, the earlier ones were held on March 20, April 2 and April 11.
PM Modi emphasised on the importance of use of technology and asked the attendees to embrace reform measures.
The Prime Minister underlined that the lockdown has yielded positive results as the country has managed to save thousands of lives in the past one-and-a-half months.
He added that 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, however, forewarned that the danger of the virus is far from over and constant vigilance is of paramount importance.’
He stressed on the significance of ensuring that more people download the Aarogya Setu 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.’
People associated with Universities can be integrated on devising ways to fight the pandemic and strengthen research as well as innovation, he suggested.
PM Modi highlighted the importance of enforcing guidelines strictly in the the red zone areas of the state.
He stated that the efforts of the states should be directed towards converting the red zones into orange and thereafter to green zones.
On the issue of getting back Indians who are overseas, he 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.
Among others Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami, his counterpart in Karnataka BS Yediyurappa, Delhi’ s Arvind Kejriwal, Maharashtra’s Uddhav Thackeray, Telangana’s K Chandrasekhar Rao, Andhra Pradesh’s YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, West Bengal’s Mamata Banerjee and Uttar Pradesh’s Yogi Adityanath attended the meeting.
