Meghalaya proposes extension of nationwide lockdown

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaApril 11, 2020

Meghalaya chief minister Conrad K Sangma has proposed extension of the nationwide lockdown to combat against the COVID-19 pandemic, for another two weeks.

Chief Ministers of other states have also expressed similar views concerning the novel coronavirus during a meeting via video conferencing chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to discuss on the plan of the Centre post April 14, on Saturday.

After attending the meeting, Sangma told reporters that ninety-nine percent of them (CMs) have suggested that the lockdown should continue in view of the prevailing situation due to the COVID-19 crisis globally.

“I was pleased to hear that almost all the CMs and at the end the PM was also speaking in the same line with what Meghalaya had also decided that there should be a lockdown in the sense that movement from outside will not take place,” Sangma said.

The chief minister informed that the Meghalaya cabinet which met earlier last week had proposed that there should be a continuation of the lockdown at the national level where movement of individuals from different states should not take place for another two weeks.

According to the state cabinet, airlines and railways should also be avoided and if possible be stopped.

Stating there is need to balance out between the health concerns and economic livelihood of the weaker section of the society, Sangma said, “Keeping this in mind, the state cabinet also suggested that certain activities including farming, NREGA and construction works at localize level without usage of manpower from other states could be considered.”

He said that the issue was also discussed during the meeting convened by the PM. Asked, Sangma said that stand and suggestion taken by the state government is very much in line with what the other CMs and PM was hinting.

“It looks like it is going to go in that direction where we will see some kind of extension of the lockdown period but it will be slightly more relaxed for certain sectors which are very critical for the poor,” he added.

Meanwhile, the chief minister also maintained that inter-state movement will be completely stopped but with some relaxation for construction works with a condition that strict social distancing is to be implemented.

To another query, Sangma however said there will be some relaxation in the inter-district movement but the government cannot relax fully.