Chennai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to announce an extension of the Covid-19 lockdown in his morning address to the nation at 10 am today, while a relaxation of curbs is also likely to start rolling out.
In his address, the Prime Minister is expected to make major announcements regarding the lockdown. Several States in the country have already extended their lockdown period for 15 days – till 30 April, in order to control the spread of coronavirus outbreak.
According to reports, areas under yellow and green zones may get some exemptions. Moreover, the government is considering giving more reprieve to the agricultural sector, in the face of an extension of the current shutdown.
Sources said the home ministry will be issuing revised guidelines to all states under the Disaster Management Act, 2005. The current three-week lockdown is due to end today.
“The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, commerce, agriculture, micro, small and medium enterprises, road transport, food processing and other ministries have communicated with the home ministry on the process of opening up,” reports said.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation at 10am on 14th April 2020,” the Prime Minister’s Office tweeted.
With most States favouring the lockdown to be extended at least by two weeks beyond 14 April, 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.
An indication that while the lockdown maybe extended to ensure social distancing, some relaxations would be made to push economic activities also came from the prime minister, who during a meeting with chief ministers on Saturday via video conferencing, said it was important to save lives as well as livelihoods.