Time not yet ripe to ease lockdown: Kerala expert panel

Thiruvananthapuram, Apr 7 () An expert task force setup by the Kerala government on evolving a strategy on easingthe coronavirus lockdown has said the "time is not yet ripe"for its full withdrawal after April 14 and recommended a"phased approach" to the removal of the restrictions.

The 17-member committee in its report has suggested awithdrawal strategy that should be gradual, phased andcalibrated to ensure that the case load is always kept belowthe (surge) capacity of the healthcare system to deal with it.

It said restricting large scale movement of people acrossinternational and state boundaries was "critical" and shouldnot be considered unless and until the situation was undercontrol in every state.

However, the panel said it also felt that prolonged andstringent lockdown would lead to economic hardship, famine andlaw and order problems, which could undermine both thelockdown and the health management objectives.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced the 21-daylockdown to check the spread of the coronavirus. The report, submitted to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayanby the committee on Monday, has been sent to the Centralgovernment. When asked about the strategy the government was likely toadopt, Vijayan told reporters that only after knowing theCentre's decision on the lockdown, which ends on April 14,will the state be able to decide on its future course ofaction.

The report by the task force headed by former chiefsecretary K M Abraham was for the centre's perusal and not forthe state government, he said.

"The task force report was for the centre's perusal andnot for the state government. The Prime Minister had soughtthe report from the task force and the state government hadsent it to the Centre after we received it yesterday," he toldreporters here.

Replying to a question, he said it was a nation-wide 21-day lockdown and the state government was following theCentre's directions. "The centre had declared a 21-day-long lockdown till April14. Let the Centre take a decision whether to continue ornot... We will take a suitable decision accordingly," Vijayanadded. LGK RRT UDVS VS