Political parties, trade body urge govt to extend lockdown
RANCHI: State’s ruling, opposition parties and trade body have demanded further extension of the ongoing lockdown, that will end around 6am on April 29, as Jharkahnd continues to witness a rapid surge in Covid-19 cases and deaths.
The state government imposed a weeklong lockdown, named Swasthya Suraksha Saptah, from April 22 in a bid to break the chain of Covid-19 infection in the state. However, the state recorded 22,443 positive cases since the lockdown was implemented till April 26, while as many as 400 people died due to the disease during the period.
Concerned over the situation, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have demanded complete lockdown, while Congress party demanded its extension.
JMM general secretary Supriya Bhattacharya said, “We earlier demanded for complete lockdown for 15 days. In view of the current Covid-19 situation, Jharkhand needs extension of
the current lockdown with tougher restrictions.”
BJP spokesperson Pradeep Sinha said, “The daily figure of Covid-19 shows that situation has not improved in past one week. The growth rate of cases and deaths has increased. So, the state needs a complete lockdown under which all kinds of activities, including economic, should be restricted so that spread of the virus can be curbed.”
He said the government needs to improve health facilities, as the state continues to face shortage of oxygen and hospital beds. “The government also needs to speed up vaccination by extending the period of lockdown, which is the best way to tackle the current pandemic,” he said.
Congress party spokesperson Alok Kumar Dubey, “We appreciate the government for imposing Swasthya Suraksha Saptah in a bid to restrict the spread of virus. If we consider the advice of experts and doctors, at least 14 days are required for breaking the chain of coronavirus. So, we demand extension of the lockdown for seven more days.”
Echoing similar sentiments, the state trade body, Federation of Jharkhand Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FJCCI), has also demanded extension of the lockdown.
FJCCI general secretary Rahul Maroo said, “The government should also come out with detailed benefits of Swasthya Suraksha Saptah. It should inform people about the health facilities enhanced during the period, as the state continues to face bed and oxygen shortage.”
The state registered 82,503 Covid-19 cases between April 1 and 26, and 1,001 people died due during the period.
The state’s weekly growth rate was 2.74%, much higher than the national average of 1.48%. Jharkhand’s recovery rate was 75.09% against the country’s 82.60%. However, the mortality rate was partially lower at 1.02% compared to country’s at 1.10%.