Coronavirus: Little Possiblilty Of Lifting Lockdown From April 15, Says UP Govt Official

A top official in Uttar Pradesh government has said that the current lockdown may not be lifted on April 14 as the number of COVID-19 cases is still rising in the country.

"When we open the lockdown it will be after we have ensured that the state is corona free. If even one corona positive person is left, it will be very difficult to open the lockdown and that is why it may take time," said Awanish Awasthi, Additional Chief Secretary, Uttar Pradesh.

However, the central government has refused to commit on whether lockdown will be extended beyond April 15. Union Minister Prakash Javadekar, after a meeting of the Union Cabinet via video link, said that a decision would be taken "in the national interest" and would be declared "at the right time".

"We are monitoring the world situation every minute. A decision will be taken in the national interest. A decision in this regard will be declared at the right time," he said.

Earlier, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had fueled speculation with his comments to state MPs. "The lockdown will be lifted on April 15. We have to ensure that the crowding doesn't take place. After the lockdown is lifted and if crowding takes place, all our efforts will go in vain," he was quoted as saying on Sunday by the Press Trust of India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on March 24 announced a total 21-day lockdown in view of the coronavirus outbreak, which is till April 14. Last week, during a video-conference with chief ministers, PM Modi had asked for a plan for staggered movement of people after the lockdown ends. (With Agency Inputs)