Bengaluru: In a shocking development, India recorded 773 new coronavirus cases and 32 deaths in a span of just 24 hours, as per the Centre. 

Such a surge in numbers only reinforces the fact that the lockdown can’t be lifted in one go and has to be phased out. 

It is also pertinent to note that these increasing numbers further underline the fact that social distancing is a must to keep the spread at bay and people must follow it in order to keep the society healthy. 

Earlier today, PM met opposition leaders and held discussions with them. Reports add that he stressed on the point that the lockdown can’t lifted all of a sudden and it has to be done in a phased manner. 

It is also interesting to note that several states have prevailed upon the Centre to continue with the lockdown. These states include Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana and Maharashtra. 

Earlier Union home minister Amit Shah and defence minister Rajnath Singh chaired a meeting with empowered group of ministers on the phase-wise lifting of the lockdown. 

Well, those states which will continue to have the lockdown will have to ensure that there is no dearth of stocks of essential things like food and medicine. The states will also have to ensure that there is no movement of people on the roads unnecessarily. The states will also see that there is no mass transportation like trains, buses and flights.

The states will also ensure there is transportation of perishable goods. Additionally, the states will set up mass canteens so that the poor can come and eat.

For those not continuing with the lockdown, the government will ask them to do it in stages. In the first week, only stand-alone shops with semi-essential items like food will be open.

In the second week, food shops and restaurants with home delivery will be open.

In the third week, community markets with semi-essential items will be open.

In the fourth week, taking into consideration how it pans out, malls will be opened. Clubs and other such things will not be opened.

In case, this plan doesn’t work out, there will be a reconsideration of the imposition of the lockdown.