Coronavirus: After Odisha, Punjab extends lockdown till May 1
The Punjab government on Friday announced that the lockdown in the state will be extended till May 1. Punjab has now become the second Indian state after Odisha to extend the lockdown. The Centre is also reportedly considering extending the lockdown. The development comes after Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh said community transmission appears to have started in the state.
The decision to extend the lockdown in Punjab was taken at a state Cabinet meeting on Friday. CM Amarinder Singh said at a video press conference on Friday, "With 27 positive cases of secondary transmission we have entered the stage of community transmission. That is a serious cause of worry." The total COVID-19 cases in Punjab stand at 132, including 11 deaths.
Given the seriousness of the situation arising out of #Covid19, Cabinet has decided to extend lockdown curfew till 1st May. These are difficult times I appeal to all to #StayHomeStaySafe strictly observe health safeguards as you have done so far, for which I am thankful. pic.twitter.com/OBq7uJgpnQ
— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) April 10, 2020
However, the Union Health Ministry said on Friday that there were no instances of community transmission in India. Health Ministry Joint Secretary Lav Agarwal said, "Whenever the community transmission stage comes, we will inform you. There is no community transmission in the country yet. There is no need to panic." This is in contrast to what the Punjab CM has said.
According to the latest update by the Union Health Ministry, by 5 pm on Friday, India had reported a total of 6,761 cases of COVID-19. These include 206 deaths and 6,039 active cases along with 515 cases where the patient was cured or discharged and one patient who migrated out of India. Maharashtra remains the worst-hit state with over 1,300 cases.
Since March 25, India has been under a nationwide lockdown. The restrictions were supposed to last until April 14, however, since the threat of a full-blown outbreak persists, several states urged the Centre to consider extending the lockdown. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also said at an all-party meeting earlier this week that the lockdown would perhaps be extended. A decision will be taken on Saturday.
