Government mulls lockdown extension

08/04/2020

Government sources told The Hindu that “many State governments as well as experts have requested the Central government to extend the lockdown and the Centre is thinking in this direction.”The number of COVID-19 affected districts increased from 62 on March 20 to 284 on April 6 across 30 States and Union Territories.

On Tuesday, the Border Security Force (BSF) sent a message to all its formations that leaves of all those on leave be extended up to April 21. The personnel who went on leave before the lockdown came into force were to join work in the coming few days. It also issued similar instructions to its training centres where programmes are already running and due to terminate in the coming days. “No movement before April 21. Stay wherever you are,” the BSF said in a statement.

A Group of Ministers (GoM), led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met on Tuesday to review the situation. This was its fourth meeting since March 25. Inputs, suggestions and feedback from the discussions at the meetings are conveyed to the Prime Minister by Mr. Singh.

The GoM recommended steps to enhance testing facilities in laboratories and expressed satisfaction over the measures in place to provide shelter and food to migrant workers.

Mr. Singh tweeted that the GoM had an extensive discussion on the prevailing situation.

“The amount saved through these decisions would be utilised in strengthening India’s fight against COVID-19. The ministers also shared their insights on how we can overcome the situation and help the people stay motivated & vigilant in the battle against COVID-19,” he tweeted.