The lockdown may be extended but with some changes, PM will take a call after interacting with CMs of all states on Saturday via videoconferencing.
New Delhi| On Sunday evening, PM Narendra Modi is likely to address the nation again to announce his call on whether the 21-day lockdown due to COVID-19 will continue.
A decision from the Centre is expected following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with Chief Ministers of states on April 11.
There are indications that the centre is inclining on increasing the shutdown period across the nation after many states also weighed in for it to contain the highly infectious virus.
The Central government has sent Ten teams to nine COVID-19-hit states and their insights are expected to be factored into the government’s final decision on whether the nationwide lockdown will be continued or end after April 15.
The central teams, which comprise officials from various fields, will report back to the government shortly about the ground situation in states like Bihar, which has not witnessed a high number of coronavirus cases, as well as Tamil Nadu, which has seen a moderate number of cases.
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However, there is also pressure on the government – not just on the economic front but also in the agricultural aspect as harvest season is approaching.
If the lockdown is extended there will be some sector-specific relaxations as a prolonged lockdown will have a huge economic impact.
Odisha became the first state to extend the statewide lockdown till April 30, just two days before the meeting between Prime Minister Modi and Chief Ministers.
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