Get ready to ramp up economic activity: PM

12/05/2020

“Even as we look at the gradual withdrawal of the lockdown, we should constantly remember that till we do not find a vaccine or a solution, the biggest weapon with us to fight the virus is social distancing,” Mr. Modi said.

Apart from asking for an extension of the lockdown, several States like Bihar, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Chhattisgarh expressed misgivings about restoration of train services. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar reportedly said that as a former Railway Minister “he knew better than most” how it could lead to a rapid spread of the disease at this crucial juncture. The railways announced on Sunday evening that it would be running 15 trains in pairs from May 12 to select destinations in a partial opening of till now shuttered passenger services.

While five States asked for an extension of lockdown, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said it was time that the country “learned to live with coronavirus,” indicating that he was in favour of some opening up of the economy.

Mr. Kejriwal also said that instead of “red” or “green zones,” containment zones be demarcated within districts to signify open and locked down areas.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel was vehement that States be left to decide containment and open zones and draw up micro plans for themselves.