IndiaIn a video conference with chief ministers, Modiindicated that the coronavirus infection would remain for alonger time, beyond May 3, and people need to continue the useof masks and sanitisers for longer period, CM UddhavThackeray's office said in a statement.
"Though the extended lockdown period ends on May 3,every state will have to decide its policy of introducingrelaxation in the existing stringent guidelines. This wouldinclude how to permit road traffic, whether senior citizensshould come out of homes, how to allow shops to operate, amongothers, it said.
The prime minister also advised the states to exploreall possibilities of converting the existing challenge intoopportunities by bringing reforms in the administration andpolicies.
"It is not a crime that the number of COVID-19 casesare increasing in some states. Do not take the pressure of therising numbers, because the entire country is facing thechallenge posed by coronavirus," the prime minister told thestates.
As India enters final week of the lockdown, PrimeMinister Modi on Monday conveyed to chief ministers that thecountry will have to give importance to the economy as well asto continue the fight against coronavirus.
During the video conference with the chief ministers,fourth such interaction since March 22 when he first spoke tothem on the pandemic, Modi also highlighted the importance forstates to enforce prescribed guidelines strictly in thecoronavirus hotspots zones, the central government said in astatement.
The prime minister underlined that the lockdown has"yielded positive results as the country has managed to savethousands of lives in the past one and a half months", itsaid. NDGK GK