NewsGate Press Network

With clear indications of easing some restrictions from 3rd May onwards, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked Chief Ministers to try to ‘convert red zones into orange and orange into green zones’.

‘Channelize your efforts towards this’, PM is reported to have asked the CMs via a video link earlier today on 27 April 2020.

He added its the only way forward by attempting to break the CoronaVirus chain so that economic activity can re-start.

This was the fourth such interaction of the Prime Minister with the Chief Ministers, the earlier ones had been held on 20th March, 2nd April and 11th April, 2020.

PM stated that in the days to come, most important mantra will be to maintain social distancing norm of six feet from each other i.e. ‘do gaz doori’.

Modi said that after 3rd May ‘wearing masks and face covers will become part of our lives’.

Only nine CMs made presentations at the PM’s meeting — those of Meghalaya, Mizoram, Puducherry, Uttarakhand, Himachal, Odisha, Bihar, Gujarat and Haryana.

Punjab CM Amarinder Singh did not attend the meeting. He had spoken and made a presentation at the last web meeting of the PM with CMs.

Prime Minister said that the country has seen two Lockdowns till now, both different in certain aspects, and now we have to think of the way ahead.

He said that as per experts, the impact of coronavirus will remain visible in the coming months.

Few takeaways from the PM telecon are:

  • Private cars may be allowed in Green and Orange zones with some restrictions.
  • The ban on public transport, including trains, flights and buses, is most likely to continue.
  • Schools and colleges are likely to remain shut and the ban on religious meetings and congregations will also continue.
  • Five of nine Chief Ministers at the meeting said the lockdown should end, while the rest were in favour of extending it for the sake of controlling the spread of COVID19.
  • Among those states who favoured continuing the lockdown were Odisha and Meghalaya.
  • Odisha CM is reported to have asked for a month’s extension of the restrictions.
  • Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma was quoted in the television channels stating “Green zones will be opened, relaxations in sectors have been agreed to but the mindset of lockdown will continue. We should get people ready with new norms like social distancing,”.
  • Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan did not attend the meeting. Instead he was represented by his Chief Secretary.