Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal tells PM Modi to extend nationwide lockdown

The condition across India is critical now. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said India’s current death toll from the coronavirus pandemic stands at 239, with the nation reporting 7,447 confirmed cases and out of them, 643 people have recovered from the disease.

It is also to be noted that these confirmed cases are related to the Tablighi Jamaat meet in Delhi’s Nizamuddin area.

Shutdowns continue in major cities in the world as the governments try to battle the deadly disease. The worst-hit country Italy has increased its lockdown until the first week of May.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh has increased its lockdown by 11 days.

Wearing a mask, PM Narendra Modi during a video conference with chief ministers discussed whether the lockdown to check the spread of pandemic should be extended, assured them that he is open to all the suggestions.

PM Modi (Credits: DNA India)

“I am available 24×7. Any chief minister can speak to me and give suggestions (on COVID-19) anytime. We should stand together shoulder-to-shoulder,” PM Modi said.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, during a video-conferencing of PM Modi with the Chief Ministers, suggested to the Indian Prime Minister that the lockdown should be extended till April 30 all over India.

In this lockdown, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal promised Rs 5,000 Relief for cab drivers. He also said that his government has also made arrangements to feed 10 lakh people daily during lunch and dinner.

CM Capt Amarinder Singh, in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s video-conferencing with chief ministers, recommended extension of nationwide lockdown by at least a fortnight in addition to special concessions for industry and agriculture sectors immediately. Amarinder Singh had also asked for rapid supply of rapid testing kits.

It should be noted that Odisha and Punjab have already extended the lockdown till April 30 while many other states said they want to extend the lockdown.

Meanwhile, UP CM Yogi Adityanath has announced that the government has decided to help the construction workers in the need of the hour. As many as 11 lakh construction workers will get Rs 1000 each in their bank accounts.

Amid the nationwide lockdown owing to the fast-spreading coronavirus pandemic, homeless people and daily wage workers, who migrate to big cities from their home towns in search of jobs, are combating hunger for survival as the fast-spreading disease has now created a panic across India.

The situation had gone from bad to worse and during this crisis, celebrities, entrepreneurs, businessmen rose to the occasion by doing their best to help the country combat the pandemic.