PM: Prepare for Unlock 2.0 & ways to minimise infection

Asks States To Ramp Up Health Infrastructure, Trained Manpower

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:18.06.2020

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday asked states to ramp up health infrastructure and trained manpower to deal with the coronavirus pandemic, while also preparing for Unlock 2.0 to boost economic revival.

During his second part of the two-day interaction with chief ministers and administrators of states and UTs through video-conferencing, the PM stressed on the importance of testing to quickly track and isolate those infected. The existing testing capacity needs to be utilized fully along with constant efforts for expansion, he said. Expansion of health infrastructure should be given utmost priority so that every person infected with Covid-19 can receive timely treatment and deaths are avoided, the PM added.

“We need to create a big team of senior doctors who can guide and inform the sick,” the PM said and suggested spreading timely and correct information through helplines run by young volunteers.

Observing that spread of the virus is greater in some big states and cities, he said the number of those recovering is rising because of timely tracing and treatment. He said the discipline shown by people during the lockdown has prevented any exponential growth of the virus.

“Difficulty in maintaining physical distancing and daily movement of people in huge numbers have made the situation challenging, yet through patience of citizens, readiness of administration and dedication of corona warriors, the spread has been kept under control,” he said.

Assuring availability of medical equipment and testing kits, Modi highlighted the increase in domestic manufacturing capabilities of PPEs, masks, diagnostic kits and ventilators.

The PM emphasized on the need to speed up economic activities with all precautions in place now that the country is in the phase of unlocking and asked states to dispel any rumours of lockdown. The country needs to now think about Unlocking 2.0, he said while interacting with CMs and representatives of 14 states/UTs. He noted that with reduction in restrictions, indicators of economic performance are showing signs of revival.

Prime Minister also observed that states where Aarogya Setu App has been downloaded in large numbers are witnessing positive results. “Efforts should be made to increase the reach of the App,” he said.

His virtual interaction on day two of his consultations with states witnessed participation of States and UTs including Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Karnataka, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, Telangana and Odisha. Some of these states account for majority of cases.

On Tuesday, he had interacted with chief ministers, LGs and administrators of 21 states and UTs.

BID TO REVIVE ECONOMY: Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with chief ministers of 15 states and Union Territories on Covid-19 situation via video-conferencing in New Delhi on Wednesday