Lockdown set to be extended with some measures to restart economy

Green, Orange & Red Zones For Graded Exit Plan

Rajeev.Deshpande@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:12.04.2020

Even as the 21-day lockdown looks set to be extended, the Centre in consultation with states is moving to restart economic activity in a graded manner in what marks a major change of approach in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.

Spelling out the shift in a videoconference with chief ministers on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said while the earlier mantra was “jaan hai to jahan hai (if there is life, you can enjoy the world)”, the way ahead would be guided by “jaan bhi, jahan bhi (life as well as our world)”. He also noted that CMs had suggested extending the lockdown by two weeks.

Right at the outset of the interaction, the PM said the situation had “left us with no option but to extend the lockdown by at least two weeks”. The discussions ended with a broad agreement on framing norms for greater public movement while continuing with a focused containment strategy for hotspots.

While the lockdown is to be extended till month-end, there will be several measures for a calibrated exit, the guidelines for which are to be spelt out in the next two to three days. Businesses and markets may be allowed to resume in areas that have no infections or a low incidence of the disease.

FULL COVERAGE: P 2-9 & 11

›Graded way, P 8