Covid-19 India: #Lockdown4.0 Likely, PM Seeks ‘Broader Strategy’

With the Covid-19 positive cases reaching a new high at 70,815, India is now the 11th most-affected nation, globally.

The country has seen some drastic rise in cases over the last two weeks before crossing the 70,000 mark for positive cases and 2,296 deaths, on May 12, 2020.

Now, India is in the worst-affected list among the 187 countries hit by COVID-19 to date.

Amid the worrying scenario, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting with the Chief Ministers of all states on May 11, 2020.

The meeting outcomes gave indications that the nation-wide lockdown could be extended further beyond May 17, 2020.

Modi has reportedly said the measures implemented in the third phase might not be required in the next phase, and businesses will see more relaxation.

Moreover, the Center has also reportedly mentioned the individual packages for the suffering states.

The Prime Minister also discussed with the states on measures to strengthen the medical preparedness before the monsoon arrives.

“We will need an all-encompassing approach to deal with various challenges that will arise before us. With the onset of monsoon, there will be a proliferation of many non-COVID-19 diseases, for which we must prepare and strengthen our medical and health systems,” reads PM Modi’s statement.

Under measures to revive the economy, the PM also directed state governments to identify the potential in domestic tourism.

He also asked the policymakers to create new and creative modules of teaching and learning in the education sector.

Modi reiterated that social distancing is the only weapon until there the vaccine arrives.

On night curfew, the PMO said PM requested all the chief ministers for their specific feedback on lockdown.

Commending the state governments on their proactive role, Modi requested them to present their strategy on further lockdown measures by May 15, 2020.