by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group
Centre hints at partial lifting of Lock-Down
PM Wants “Action Plan” from Ministers before lock down ends
Covid-19 Hot-spots to remain sealed
Harish Gupta
New Delhi, April 6
The Centre today gave enough indications that it is moving towards “partial or graded” lifting of lock down in at least 70% parts of the country after April 15.
The PM is quoted as telling his Council of Ministers that “it is essential to strategize for the emergent conditions once lockdown ends.”
In a major signal of what’s in store, the PM told his ministers “prepare a list of ten major decisions and ten priority areas of focus once lockdown end.”
The PM also noted during the interaction with his ministerial colleagues that a “graded plan to slowly open departments where hotspots aren’t existing should be made.”
Obviously, the government will cordon off and seal completely all the hot spots in the country where cases of “local community transmission” have surfaced in large numbers. The number these hot spots across the country is reported to be as high as 50. There are three such areas in Delhi and 8-10 in Maharashtra, sources say.
Though he gave no clue to as to when exactly the lock-down will end but he left no one in doubt the government is serious considering to paryial lifting of lock-down. The date will be announced once the ground level situation improves.
The PM asked the ministers to concentrate on preparing a “Business Continuity Plan” relating to their ministries to once the lockdown ends. Obviously, the PM wants every minister to prepare a detailed plan what are the priority areas as the lock-down will not be lifted in one go in the entire country. It will be done slowly and in a graded manner.
This is first time that the PM held a rather prolonged meeting with his Council of Minister through video-conferencing and sought their free and frank opinion in their respective domain and wanted them to come out with an action plan.
When asked, Union Minister for I&B, Environment and Heavy Industries when the Lock-down will be lifted, he said, “We will let you know when the right time comes.”
