Meghalaya to Extend Lockdown beyond May 3; Certain 'Relaxations' in Non-Covid Districts

Guwahati, April 27, 2020:

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, in an interaction with the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said that the lockdown in the state will continue after May 3. However, there will be certain relaxations in non COVID-19 districts.

During his interaction with the PM, Sangma also apprised Modi regarding the Meghalaya model of “Rapid Response System”, wherein within specified a time frame, response will be initiated by health, administration and police on the detection of new Covid-19 cases.

In the video conference with the PM, Sangma said, “The rapid response system will enable the government to work at micro level, like the panchayat institutions, and prepare us for any such situation that may arise in future.”

He suggested that response of different stakeholders should be specified in the form of a standard operating procedures (SoPs), and their should be able to respond within 60 minutes.

He also suggested the Prime Minister that an “Economic Task Force” by all the States be setup for exchange of ideas and possible solutions to re-initiate economic activities after the lockdown period is over.

“There is an economic State to State dependence. The establishment of economic task force will help States and its adjoining neighbours to a large extent in devising practical measures to revive the economy,” the Chief Minister added.

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Talking about the prevailing situation, the Meghalaya Chief Minister told the Prime Minister that the use of technology has become more important and the Governments must integrate technology in governance, healthcare and business.

In the meeting, the Prime Minister said that collective efforts of states have helped to manage the present crisis and added that thousands of lives have been saved due to steps taken by state governments in the past one and a half months.

PM Modi told the CMs, "We saw a two-stage lockdown, with strict measures in the first phase and then some relaxations in the second. Good work has been done in the states."

The PM said that efforts of states should now be directed towards converting the red zones into orange and thereafter to green zones. We have to be brave and bring in reforms that touch the lives of common citizens."

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