A broad consensus has emerged that the national lockdown should be extended by at least two weeks after a meeting between the prime minister and state chief ministers on Saturday

LOCKDOWN 2.0 TO FOCUS ON LIVELIHOOD

A broad consensus has emerged that the national lockdown should be extended by at least two weeks after a meeting between the prime minister and state chief ministers on Saturday.

Several chief ministers at the same time have pushed for a resumption of some economic activities like in the farming sector in regions with no Covid-19 cases.

With most states favouring the lockdown to be extended at least by two weeks beyond April 14, the government is broadly focusing on a two-pronged action plan–containing the spread of Covid-19 in the country and staggered resumption of economic activities, according to an official.

The Centre’s plan is seen as a change in strategy from saving lives a month ago to saving lives as well as livelihoods now in the fight against the pandemic.

States are likely to designate districts, towns and cities as red, orange and green zones depending upon the number of Covid-19 cases as part of efforts to allow differentiated restoration of normalcy with conditions like uses of masks and social distancing in public.