A panel of Union ministers headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has advised Prime Minister Narendra Modi to partially lift the nationwide lockdown from April 15, Bloomberg reported. The lockdown was imposed on March 25 for 21 days to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.
The suggestion comes even as various state governments have indicated that they want the lockdown restrictions to continue as more coronavirus cases are being reported.
Bloomberg quoted sources as saying that panel headed by Rajnath suggested a number of measures. The measures include keeping closed those areas with "large clusters" of coronavirus cases, opening markets "on alternate days after the three-week period ends" and state governments across the country allowing harvesting of crops.
Bloomberg reported, "Trains and local mass rapid transportation services will remain suspended, while gatherings at religious centres won’t be allowed... The prime minister will take the final decision on lifting restrictions."
PTI reported that the panel, which met on Tuesday, "recommended extension of closure of all educational institutions and restricting all religious activities having public participation till May 15, irrespective of whether the government extends the 21-day lockdown". The panel advised "religious centres, shopping malls and educational institutions must not be allowed to resume normal functioning at least for four weeks from April 14".
The thinking in the government is that schools and colleges will more or less remain shut till end of June as the summer vacation will start from middle of May.
The panel also recommended monitoring of public places like religious centres and malls through surveillance drones, sources told PTI.
Sources in the government told PTI, "most" of the ministers suggested that exit from the lockdown should be in a staggered manner.
The panel led by Rajnath includes Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Home Minister Amit Shah. The meeting on Tuesday was also attended by several key members of the Union Cabinet including Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan, Railways Minister Piyush Goyal, Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Rural Development Minister Narendra Singh Tomar and HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank.
Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda, Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Zubin Irani and Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat were also among those who attended the meeting.
