Prepare ‘graded plan’ to open non-hotspots: Modi

India is currently under a 21-day lockdown from March 25, with only essential services exempted, to contain the fast-spreading virus, which has claimed more than 70,000 lives and afflicted over 12.8 lakh people across 183 countries.

Chairing a meeting of the council of ministers through video conferencing, Modi said,”a graded plan to slowly open departments where hotspots aren’t existing should be made.” According to sources, the prime minister clearly indicated that the lifting of the lockdown in one go is very unlikely while discussing the modalities of lifting it. He also asked the ministers whether the restrictions should be lifted sector-wise or districtwise, a source said.

Reiterating that lockdown measures and social distancing norms need to go hand in hand, Modi also told ministers to popularize Aarogya Setu app in the rural areas and grass root institutions. Referring to the impact of COVID-19 on country’s economy, the prime minister said the government must work on war footing to mitigate the impact, adding that the ministries should prepare a business continuity plan.

To minimise the impact of the lockdown, the government had announced a Rs 1.7 lakh crore financial package -- the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana, besides taking a slew measures including extending filing of the income tax and GST.