Prepare common exit strategy post lockdown, he tells CMs

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 2

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday suggested that states should prepare a common exit strategy for a staggered appearance of people after the end of the lockdown while forewarning that the situation of the global Covid-19 pandemic remains far from satisfactory amid speculation of a second wave in some countries.

Speaks with Charles

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephonic conversation with UK’s Prince Charles on Thursday and discussed the coronavirus crisis, with the British royal hailing Indian diaspora’s role in combating the pandemic.The PM conveyed his condolences for the loss of life in the UK, the MEA said in a statement. PTI

In his second interaction through video conference with Chief Ministers after last month’s Janata Curfew, the Prime Minister while taking stock of the current situation underscored the importance of coordinated action, need to avoid overlaps in efforts of stakeholders and setting up district-level crisis management groups and district surveillance officers.

Thanking the states for supporting the lockdown decision due to which India had achieved some success in limiting the spread of the disease, he praised them for working together as a team to check the spread of the virus, an official release said.

He appealed to leaders to reach out to community chiefs and social welfare organisations at the state, district, town and block levels to build up a united front based on community approach in the battle against the pandemic. Stressing exit strategy, he asked states to send suggestions since it was important to ensure a staggered re-emergence of the population once the lockdown ended while reiterating the importance of social distancing.

He said in the next few weeks, testing, tracing, isolation and quarantine should remain the areas of focus. Highlighting the necessity of maintaining supply of essential medical products, availability of raw material for manufacture of medicines and medical equipment, he said it was necessary to ensure availability of separate, dedicated hospital facilities for affected patients.