Odisha Becomes First State to Extend Lockdown Till April 30

Bhubaneswar, April 9, 2020:

Odisha has become the first State in the country to extend the lockdown post April 14. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday announced that the State Government has decided to extend the lockdown till April 30.

This has come a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi informed about a meeting with the State Representatives on April 11 on the lockdown extension matter.

"During ongoing lockdown period amid Covid-19 crisis, your discipline and sacrifice has provided us the strength to fight Covid-19," said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in his video message.

According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare's official figures on April 9, Odisha has 42 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus. This number includes one patient who succumbed to the infection and two individuals who recovered.

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The decision was announced after a cabinet meeting where the importance and need of the extension were discussed at length. Naveen Patnaik announced, "At this crucial juncture, one has to decide between protecting the lives of people and economic activity. We will recommend to Government of India to extend the national lockdown up to April 30. In addition to this, we will also request the Union Government not to start airline and railway services till April 30."

CM Naveen Patnaik added, "As regards people from Orissa who are stranded in various parts of the country, our intervention for their well-being will be through the concerned state governments. Odisha will take care of all the people who are stranded in Odisha."

The Odisha government will also take special measures for various sectors. Activities related to agriculture, animal husbandry and MGNREGS will be facilitated during the lockdown period following social distancing norms.

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It is worth noting here that the Centre is contemplating the 21-day lockdown period that ends on March 14 that was earlier called by the PM to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Several state Governments are also said to be in favour of prolonging the extension of the lockdown, as there is a chance of resurgence of the spread if free movement and mass gatherings are allowed. Although the number of infections has steadied some, removal of restrictions is sure to accelerate the spread of the pandemic in the countries.