New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Saturday, April 11, officially extended the nationwide COVID-19 lockdown while on a conference call with the Chief Ministers of all states.
It can be recalled that a few days ago, the PM had hinted that he was leaning towards extending the lockdown, however, he did not specify for how long.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal confirmed the same on Twitter and expressed his approval of the decision. “PM has taken correct decision to extend lockdown. Today, India’s position is better than many developed countries because we started lockdown early. If it is stopped now, all gains would be lost. To consolidate, it is imp to extend it, [sic]” he wrote.
PM has taken correct decision to extend lockdown. Today, India’s position is better than many developed countries because we started lockdown early. If it is stopped now, all gains would be lost. To consolidate, it is imp to extend it
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) April 11, 2020
According to a report by News18, the Chief Ministers of at least seven states were in support of the lockdown extension. However, Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan was the first and only one to oppose the decision.
Sources said that it is left up to the state governments to open up unaffected districts.
As it stands, Punjab, Odisha and Rajasthan have already announced that the total lockdown will continue till the end of the month.