No schools, public events till May 15
GoM for curbs on religious, social activity; most states want lockdown extended; decision on April 11-12
The Centre is learnt to be considering extending the nationwide lockdown beyond April 14 to contain the spread of Covid-19 after requests from several state chief ministers and health experts, but it will take a final call only after a review meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which could take place on April 11 or 12.
Top government sources said the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) is now working on a graded plan to lift the lockdown in a phased manner. If no fresh cases have been detected in any hotspot in the 75 identified districts, it could ease the lockdown in those areas.
A Group of Ministers (GoM) on Covid-19 headed by defence minister Rajnath Singh, which met earlier on Tuesday, recommended the extension of the closure of all educational institutions and restricting all religious activities with public participation till May 15 irrespective of the government’s final decision on the lockdown, official sources said.
It was decided at the meeting, also attended by home minister Amit Shah and finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, among others, that religious centres, shopping malls and educational institutions must not be allowed to resume normal working for at least four weeks from April 14, when the current lockdown is due to end, till around May 15. Sources said it was felt within the GoM that a partial relaxation could be effected in the lockdown, but it was up to the PM to decide.
The PMO got inputs from almost all chief ministers on easing of the lockdown after April 14, with almost all unanimous about easing it in a phased way. With Mr Modi set to discuss the matter with all political parties on Wednesday, a review meeting could be held on April 11 or 12, where would take a final call after seeking a political consensus.
Sources told this newspaper that the government will start random testing across India from Wednesday (April 8) to check the intensity of the virus spread and identify more hotspots to implement the graded plan. The government has already identified hotspots.
RELIGIOUS CENTRES, shopping malls and educational institutions must not be allowed to reopen for four weeks from April 14, when the current lockdown is due to end, a panel headed by defence minister Rajnath Singh has stated. A final decision will be taken after the PM’s meeting, likely on April 11
The Delhi Police on Tuesday has registered an FIR against two members of Tablighi Jamaat for allegedly defecating in front of a room at a quarantine centre in Outer Delhi’s Narela.
The police said that the duo accused have been identified as Mohammad Fahd (25) and Adnam Zahir (18). They are residents of Barabanki in Uttar Pradesh and had attended the religious congregation held last month at Markaz.
According to a senior police official, after a few members who attended it were tested positive for coronavirus in March, several others were shifted to different quarantine centres across the city.
“The case was registered on Saturday, after the police received information from the sanitation staff at the quarantine centre about the men defecating in front of their rooms,” said the senior police official.
“The incident took place in front of Room No. 212 on the second floor of the centre. A sanitation worker and the house keeping supervisor reported the incident. The suspects didn’t follow the instructions of the health department and government to prevent the spread of the virus,” read the FIR registered at Narela Industrial Area police station.