As per sources, Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik asked for a month’s extension of the lockdown, at least three more CMs advocated for an extension, but of a shorter duration. Odisha was the first state to go for a 40 per cent lockdown following an analysis of the geographical spread of people who came from abroad in March. Odisha has been successful in curving COVID-19 cases and limiting the number of cases. It is not that the state is not doing enough tests. More than 1000 tests are being done daily in several test centres across the state.
Other highlights of the meeting:
In his fourth video conference meeting since March 22, PM Modi underlined the importance for the states to implement prescribed guidelines strictly in hotspots.
In the days to come, the CMs are expected to submit their plans, and PM Modi will speak to them individually. A senior minister who attended the meeting said that PM Modi after listening to 10-odd CMs indicated that since the lockdown has proved to be an effective antidote against the virus spread, there might be a logical reason for continuing with locking down hotspots or red zone areas. While few CMs like Nitish Kumar has opposed the decision.
With states taking conflicting views, the Centre is not expected to come up with an “all-inclusive” kind of exit from lockdown 2.0. However, with states zealously opposing cross-border movements of people to contain the virus spread, there is little likelihood of trains and bus transport opening up in the near future.