Bengaluru: BJP national president JP Nadda has thanked the emergency and medical staff who are rendering yeoman service during this coronavirus pandemic crisis and lockdown. 

"Responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call, the country has united in tackling COVID-19. In this valiant battle for humanity's future, Corona Warriors are at the forefront. I salute their grit and determination.Join. #ThankYouCoronaWarriors," Nadda said on his twitter account. 

 

The Prime Minister has engaged the citizens in several ways to make the coronavirus movement a people’s one. 

He had earlier requested people to come out in balconies as ring bells as part of Janata curfew and a mark of gratitude to our soldiers in stethoscopes. 

On April 5, at 9 pm for 9 minutes, people honoured PM’s call to show unity as they switched off lights and lit lamps as a marker of knowledge. 

Also Watch: India lights up as it honours Modi's call

As regards the lockdown extension, the Centre is mulling extending it. Several states have asked the Centre to go ahead with the continuation of the lockdown as it is inevitable. 

Also Read: Final call on lockdown extension after April 11

Union home minister Amit Shah and defence minister Rajnath Singh held a meeting with empowered group of ministers a few days ago. In the meeting, it is said the two senior leaders examined two primary options.

Also Watch: Lockdown: To extend or not to?

They are:

1. States continuing with the lockdown

2. States not continuing with 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.