Micro-containment the way to go, Punjab, other high-load states told

Aditi Tandon

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 23

PM Narendra Modi today said wearing masks was a tough routine but a must to prevent the chain of Covid transmission and asked chief ministers of seven states with a high number of cases to focus on micro-containment zones in 60 districts to curb the spread of infection.

In a virtual review meeting with CMs of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, UP, Tamil Nadu, Delhi and Punjab, the PM laid stress on economic recovery alongside Covid management and asked states to analyse whether local lockdowns were helping stop disease transmission or blocking economic activity.

These seven states account for 65.5 per cent of India’s total 56,46,010 cases and 77 per cent of 90,020 deaths as of today.

“I urge CMs to analyse whether local lockdowns are helping prevent disease. Hope these lockdowns are not interrupting economic activity. This issue requires a serious look,” said the PM.