Centre unlikely to reimpose lockdown; PM may advise CMs not to lower guard

New Delhi: While a blanket reimposition of the lockdown by the center is not on the cards, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to tell CMs not to lower their guard in Covid-19 urban containment areas.

A senior government official told that the prime minister could ask CMs to go for the extensive door-to-door screening of people living in urban containment areas and be stricter in implementing social distancing measures and wearing face masks. The center received feedback that things have become complacent in some states. Narendra Modi is also expected to ask certain states to increase their test numbers by the end of June so they can detect patients early and reduce mortality.

Meetings are scheduled for June 16 and 17 in two batches with the worst-affected states slotted for Day 2. " States must make decisions now, but closer central coordination is needed. The Prime Minister is expected to the CMs’ suggestions and draws up a common strategy. There is no plan to reimpose a blanket lockdown. For us, the test positivity ratio, which stands at 5.6% nationally, is the most important indicator as to how the state is performing against Covid-19. The official said the key is to enforce social distancing norms effectively and impose fines if the same is not adhered to.

States have the right to go for stricter measures if necessary. For example, Punjab opted for a stricter lockdown on weekends, and Rajasthan chose to close its borders this week, the official said.

The center is pleased with the recovery rate that exceeds 50% on Sunday but is equally concerned about the increasing pressure on health infrastructure, where there is now about 1.5 lakh of active cases. Another senior official told: " The capacity use is not present in some states, such as UP, while it is stretched in other places like Delhi,” another senior official told. "

Source: Economic Times

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