The 21 days Pan-India lockdown imposed in a bid to curb the transmission of the novel coronavirus, Now, there is one week left in completion of the lockdown. However, the sharp spike in the number of fresh COVID-19 cases across the country has raised questions on whether the government will lift the lockdown or look for a staggered exit.
Meanwhile, several state governments have requested or appeal the Centre to extend the lockdown, as the number of cases(effected with COVID-19) is rapidly increasing in those states.
India has so far reported 5,194 cases with the death toll mounting to 149.
As per the News agency ANI – government sources saying that Centre is considering the requests made by states.
A decision on the extension of lockdown is expected by this weekend after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with chief ministers via video conferencing this Saturday.
Indicating a phased lifting of the lockdown, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday asked Union ministers to prepare a “graded plan” to slowly open departments in non-hotspots of the COVID-19, and work on a war footing to mitigate the adverse impact of the pandemic on country’s economy.
Various sources have revealed the Phased lifting measure can be imposed a few days after.
What is Phased Lifting
Phased lifting of the lockdown, prepare a “graded plan” to slowly open departments in non-hotspots of the COVID-19, and work on a war footing to mitigate the adverse impact of the pandemic on the country’s economy. Prime-minister on Monday has discussed this concern with Union ministers.
PM Modi clearly indicated that the lifting of the lockdown in one go is very unlikely while discussing the modalities of lifting it. He also asked the ministers whether the restrictions should be lifted sector-wise or district-wise.
The Centre is mulling a mega plan after April 14 under which all states will be divided into four categories and lifting of lockdown and resumption of services will be planned accordingly- as per the Dainik Jagran report.
Sources said that a complete lockdown will be extended in areas which have turned into coronavirus hotspots. Meanwhile, relief is expected in areas where no fresh cases have been reported in the last seven days. However, new set of restrictions may be put in place if new cases come up in those areas.
While this is clear that the lockdown will not be lifted in one go, the draft exit plan suggests that the categorisation of states will be done based on the number of people infected from the deadly virus.
Here is how the states and Union Territories may be categorised for a phased lifting of the lockdown:
Category 4: States where more than 50 cases of COVID-19 have been reported will be put under this category. Such states will remain under complete lockdown and all services will remain suspended, other than the essential ones. States and UTs will be put in the category if they have two or more cases per 10 lakh population or if more than 40 per cent of the districts are affected from the virus.
Category 3: States with more than 20 cases, 30 per cent affected districts and 1-2 cases per 10 lakh population will be put in the third category. In these states, lockdown will continue, but some restrictions might be eased along with essential services.
Category 2: This category will include those states which have reported less than 20 cases of coronavirus and less than 30 per cent of the districts are effected from the deadly virus. Also, these states must have one or less than one cases per 10 lakh population.
Category 1: This category will include those states which have reported less than five cases so far and no fresh cases have been reported in the last seven days.
