Corona News: “Social Distancing- The Mantra for all”, said PM in the video conference with the Chief Ministers

INDIA: As India enters the final week of nationwide lockdown, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a video conference with the chief ministers today to discuss the strategy ahead. This was the fourth such meeting between PM Narendra Modi and the chief ministers of the states since the outbreak emerged.

The chief ministers from Meghalaya, Mizoram, Puducherry, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Odisha, Bihar, Gujarat and Haryana along with CMs of other states spoke about the further strategies to fight against deadly coronavirus which killed nearly 900 people in the country.

The latest updates from the points discussed in the meeting:

• Appreciating the collective efforts of the states and the centre, PM said that the lockdown has played an effective role in containing the spread of coronavirus.

• Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma plans to continue lockdown after May 3. “We have mooted to continue with the lockdown post May 3 with relaxation on activities in green zones or non-covid affected districts in Meghalaya,” he said after discussing COVID-19 strategy with PM Modi.

• PM said considering the threats of the virus, social distancing should be the mantra for all.

• Uttarakhand CM said that a committee of ministers and a committee of experts has been constituted for the economic revival of the states amid coronavirus lockdown.

• Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani said that the Centre should take the decision on extending lockdown in the interest of the country. He said the state will abide with the Centre’s decision on the issue.

• Himachal CM Jai Ram Thakur said his government has reached out to the people through Anganwadi centres to create sensitisation and has been testing aggressively in the state.

• Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik said public gatherings, religious and educational institutions must be completely stopped. He also urged the Centre to relook to initiate measures to kickstart the economy as “we work together to curb the disease.”
  
• He suggested that Niti Ayog should come up with transformative ideas to keep the economy moving in this grim situation. Even if the national lockdown continues, economic activities within the states should be allowed.

• To fight against COVID-19, Bihar has started door to door screening, said Bihar CM Nitish Kumar in a video conference with PM Modi. Till now, 4 crore people have been screened, he added.

• PM Modi said that North Indian states are having cases of flu, and urged all CMs to ensure that people register in Aarogya Setu app

• Puducherry chief minister V Narayanasamy sought Centre’s intervention for providing Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) and other medical equipment for the state’s healthcare warriors.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was seen covering his face with a traditional ‘gamcha’ in the video conference.Covering the mouth and nose with a traditional ‘gamcha’ has been the go-to option for Modi in a bid to make people aware of how they can easily take precautions against coronavirus.