With COVID cases spiking across the country, almost all states want the lockdown to be extended to at least two more weeks. However, they have also sought for more relaxations across all three zones to revive the economy.
In a meeting with chief ministers of all states earlier this week, Prime Minister Narendra asked them to come up with suggestions for the lockdown 4.0 by May 15. In response, most of the states want economic activities to resume outside containment zones.
States like Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Gujarat and Delhi have suggested resuming all economies in non-containment zones. However, with the migrant exodus to the states continuing, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha want strict restrictions to continue. Assam has also called for an extension of the lockdown.
Delhi
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday said that he has received feedback from people of the national capital regarding the relaxations they want in the next phase of the lockdown. The Delhiites have asked to resume public transport, including metro services, but with social distancing norms in place. However, they were against the idea to open public spaces like bars and pubs, malls, swimming pools, film theatres, etc.
Karnataka
Karnataka has sought Delhi’s permission to re-open restaurants, hotels and gymnasiums.
Kerala
Kerala which relies on tourism for revenue has favoured running metro trains, local trains, domestic flights, restaurants and hotels.
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu too has asked for economic activity to be resumed except in containment zones. The state has announced a six-day working week from May 18 and increased the working strength in all its offices from 33 per cent to 50 per cent, from Monday (May 18), with employees working in three batches of two days each.
Maharashtra
The state with the most number of cases wants lockdown to be extended till May 31. While Maharashtra appears to be reluctant on reopening too much of the economy, it wants more economic activities in green and orange zones.
Gujarat
The second-most affected state, surprisingly, wants to resume all economic activity in all major urban localities.
Bihar
Bihar CM Nitish Kumar has said the lockdown in the state will be extended till May 31.
Most of the states want all restrictions on e-commerce activities to be removed. They also favour resumption of construction activities in municipal areas with strict social distancing guidelines.
Regarding inter-state movement, states have a mixed response and called for measures to ensure strict monitoring. Most of the states have opposed the resumption of passenger train services. Most states are running special trains for migrant workers and stranded people, but do not want regular train services now.
There is also a mixed view on opening of flights while smaller states like in the northeast are of the view that domestic flights could be allowed on a regular basis. Largest states have voiced reservation over allowing domestic flight services. Regarding international flights, states appear to be on the same page. Almost all the states are against opening international flying other than for stranded people.