In the daily briefing, PM Modi tells states to rethink on utilizing short term lockdowns

Last updated on February 17th, 2023 at 11:59 am

On Wednesday, PM Narendra Modi in a video conference urged the Chief Ministers of seven covid affected states’ to do a critical evaluation of the 1-2-day lockdowns that few other states have been implementing and the disadvantageous of this on economic activity.

He stressed that the states should strengthen their contact tracing strategies to contain the spread of the novel Covid-19 disease. At the beginning of the conference, he appreciated medical specialists for their work and for treating patients under the flagship of the Ayushman Bharat scheme. 

PM Modi also stressed states to focus on micro containment zones and make an assessment of lockdowns imposed for 1-2 days. However, in doing so the economic activity must not face any issue. He further proposed the states to pay attention to this issue seriously and focus more on contact tracing, testing, treating, and clear messaging, he included. 

The Prime Minister’s online conference was attended by the Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, and Punjab. 63 percent of the nation’s Covid-19 cases are in these states, which additionally estimates 65.5% of total confirmed cases, and around 77% deaths, the Indian Express reported.

The Prime Minister asked the Chief Ministers to daily have a virtual meeting with authorities at district levels so that a direct and clear message on containment permeates to the area level.

Recently, numerous states have had concerns over the lack of supply of oxygen. PM Modi reassured states that vital steps are taken to continue the uninterrupted supply of oxygen. The administration has decided to enhance the usage of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) to 50 percent for advancing the coronavirus infrastructure, he included. 

The Prime Minister asked CMs’ to adopt best practices utilized by other states. “The nation currently has the most amounts of testing and treating facilities. Numerous states have shown good examples of implementing best practices …and we must utilize them in battling the pandemic,” PM Modi included.

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