PANJIM: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant is most likely to request Prime Minister Narendra Modi to extend the lockdown in Goa even after May 3.
Speaking at a national news channel’s special debate last Saturday, CM Sawant said he would request PM for extending lockdown for more days after May 3 as Goa is close to Maharashtra and Gujarat which have high COVID-19 cases.
Goa has not seen a single case after April 3 and all 7 positive patients have been negative. Of all the cured patients, three have completed Facility and Home quarantine and four are under home quarantine.
Since the spread of the virus in the country, PM Modi will be holding his third crucial interaction with chief minister’s via video conferencing on Monday, on the way ahead to fight COVID-19.
This will be the third video conference of the prime minister with the chief ministers after the spread of the COVID-19 in the country.
Sources in the government indicated that besides discussing the way forward in dealing with the pandemic, the discussion could also focus on a “graded” exit from the lockdown which is in place till May 3.
The Centre and the state governments have been giving gradual relaxation in various fields and sectors to boost economic activities as also to provide relief to people. But some states are willing to extend the lockdown beyond May 3 to ensure that coronavirus cases remain under control.
In his monthly ‘Mann ki Baat’ radio address on Sunday, the prime minister said the country is in the middle of a ‘yudh’ (war) and asserted that people have to continue being careful and take precautions.
His note of caution comes against the backdrop of the Union government and states relaxing lockdown norms to revive economic activities.
