In coming days, economic activities will further gain steam: PM Modi tells CMs

“There is global recognition for India’s success in handling the pandemic and Govt of India appreciates the efforts made by all state governments in this regard. Let us stay the course as we move forward together,” said in his fifth video conference meeting with state chief ministers today.

“Slowly but surely, economic activities have begun to pick up in several parts of the country. In coming days, this process will further gather steam. We must realize that fight against Covid-19 has to be more focused now. Going forward, the road ahead should be focused on reducing the spread and ensuring that all precautions are taken by people including social distancing norms by observing ‘Do Gaj Doori’ (six-feet distance),” Modi further said.

He urged the CMs to ensure that rural India remains free from the pandemic.

Andhra Pradesh CM Jaganmohan Reddy seeks relaxation of lockdown measures, with strict adherence of personal hygiene protocols. “We need to prepare people to live with coronavirus till vaccine is ready,” says Reddy while interacting with PM Modi. Mamata Banerjee says that the Centre should not play politics at a time when the coronavirus pandemic has gripped the country. Gujarat wants lockdown only in the containment zones. Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Bhagel seeks permission from Centre to allow states to define red, orange and green zones.

Here are latest updates on COVID-19 pandemic in the country:

Punjab CM pitches for lockdown extension while securing livelihoods

During video conference with PM Narendra Modi, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh pitched for extension of the lockdown but with a carefully crafted strategy, backed by fiscal and economic empowerment of the states, to save lives and secure livelihood.

“The CM said that states need to be given greater flexibility in micro-planning as part of a carefully planned exit strategy, encompassing both Covid-19 containment and a defined path of economic revival,” said Punjab Chief Minister’s Office

World feels India has successfully protected itself from Covid-19: Modi

”We will be able to determine the direction our country is headed based on suggestions you provide today,” PM Modi told CMs during the video conference on Sunday.

“Entire world feels India has been able to successfully protect itself from Covid-19, states played major role in this. Wherever we have not followed social distancing, our problems have increased,” the PM further said.

We now know the geographical spread of pandemic in India: Modi

“We now have reasonably clear indication as to the geographical spread of the pandemic in India, including the worst affected areas. Moreover, over the past few weeks, officials have understood operating procedures in a time such as this, right up to the district level,” Modi told the CMs.

TN CM doesn’t want train, flight services until 31 May

During video conference held by PM Narendra Modi with state CMs, Tamil Nadu CM Palaniswami urged him not to allow regular air services till 31 May. While citing increasing Covid-19 cases in the state, he doesn’t want train services to be permitted until 31 May.

The entire Northeastern states are working closely: Pema Khandu

“The entire Northeastern states are working closely and as a team to collectively fight #coronavirus. I am particularly thankful to Assam CM @sarbanandsonwal Ji and health Minister @himantabiswa Ji for they have been very helpful in our fight against #COVID19,” Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu tweeted.

Inter-state supply chain should be allowed to function properly: Rajasthan CM

Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot urges Centre to allow inter state supply chain should to function properly. Rajasthan has so far recorded 3,814 coronavirus cases.

Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah also attend today’s meeting

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Health Minister Harsh Vardhan are also present at today’s meeting

PM Modi interacts with CMs on ways to strengthen COVID-19 containment strategy

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday chaired a fresh round of consultation with chief ministers on ways to strengthen the COVID-19 containment strategy and stepping up of economic activities in a calibrated manner as the 54-day nationwide lockdown nears an end.

‘Moratorium on loan, interest should be announced for Puducherry’

A moratorium on repayment of loan and also the interest thereof payable by Puducherry to the Centre should be announced, Health and tourism Minister Malladi Krishna Rao said on Monday

Doing our best to combat the virus: Mamata Banerjee

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said: “We as a state doing our best to combat the virus. The Centre should not play politics in this crucial time. We are surrounded by international borders and other bigger states and have challenges to deal with,” Banerjee said at the video-conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Gujarat CM thanks PM for support extended to the state

Gujarat CM Rupani says: “Lockdown has helped to contain COVID-19. We thank PM for all support extended to our state. We are using Arogya Setu aap for surveillance and it has helped us immensely.”

Lockdown should continue in containment zones: KCR

Lockdown should be confined to containment zone and be continued. Immediate response from Centre is required for defining zones.

Don’t allow train services: Telangana CM

Telangana chief minister K. Chandrashekar Rao urges Centre to not resume train services. He expressed fears that resuming train services can spread the coronavirus, and screening etc will be difficult. After a 40-day lockdown, Indian Railways decided to “gradually” start train services from tomorrow.

Lockdown should be limited to containment zone: Gujarat CM

Gujarat CM says that lockdown should be limited to containment zones. Economic activities have to start with safety measures. The schools and colleges should open after summer holidays.

Allow states to decided red, orange and green zones: Chhattisgarh CM

Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Bhagel seeks permission from Centre to allow states to define red, orange and green zones, which will facilitate effective and time bound alert. He also seeks funds from centre for starting relief work.

Aarogya Setu app will be be available on Jio feature smartphones

Aarogya Setu app has been downloaded in 9.8 crore smartphones so far. It will be available on Jio feature smartphones from tomorrow. We’ve worked a lot on data privacy of Arogya Setu users & made sure that user data are not compromised, says Ajay Sahni, chairman of empowered group.

People with coronavirus symptoms shouldn’t hide them: Health Ministry

Health Ministry spokesperson says: We need to try and see that those with coronavirus symptoms shouldn’t hide it but come forward and seek treatment.

We’re bringing back stranded migrants at our own cost: Chhattisgarh CM

Speaking at the CMs meeting with PM Modi, Chattisgarh CM Bhupesh Bhagel said, “First train with migrants from Gujarat has reached today, we have asked people without symptoms to home quarantine; we are bringing back our stranded residents at our own cost.”

Tamil Nadu CM seeks ₹2000 crore special grant for state from Centre

At meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Tamil Nadu chief minister Palanisamy urges the Centre to release a grant of ₹2,000 crore to Tamil Nadu. He also requests the central government to clear pending GST dues to state.

Have to work together to revive our economy: Reddy

To fight against COVID-19, the Centre should relax restrictions on interstate transport of goods. “We have to work together to revive our economy,” says Andhra Pradesh CM Jagan Mohan Reddy

Around 4,000 Indians came back to India under under Vande Bharat Misison

Under Vande Bharat Misison, around 4,000 Indians have been brought back. Around 5 lakh migrant workers sent back to their states by trains by now: MHA spokesperson.

Centre should not play politics in this crucial time: Mamata Banerjee

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee says at the chief ministers’ meeting with PM Modi: “We as a state are doing our best to combat the virus; Centre should not play politics in this crucial time..”

Help MSME sector: Andhra Pradesh CM urges PM Modi

Andhra Pradesh CM Jaganmohan Reddy urges PM Modi to help MSME sector. There are nearly 1 lakh MSME employees in Andhra Pradesh. “If Centre does not help, there will be a spike in unemployment in the state,” Reddy adds.

North East CMs working as team to combat COVID-19: Arunachal CM

Arunachal CM Pema Khandu: “We got opportunity to ramp up health infrastructure; North East CMs are working together as a team to combat COVID-19.”

Relax lockdown measures: Andhra CM

Andhra Pradesh CM Jaganmohan Reddy seeks relaxation of lockdown measures, with strict adherence of personal hygiene protocols.

95% coronavirus cases are curable: Jaganmohan Reddy

“We need to prepare people to live with coronavirus till vaccine is ready, we have to create massive awareness to prevent transmit of the virus,” says Andhra Pradesh CM Jaganmohan Reddy while interacting with PM Modi.

“We should have an exit plan from institutional quarantine… the fear and stigma should end. We have to remove the stigma, we need to tell that 95 percent of the case is curable,” Reddy suggested

Coronavirus stigma has to end: Andhra Pradesh CM Jaganmohan Reddy

Andhra Pradesh CM Jaganmohan Reddy says: 30,000 people in Andhra Pradesh were tested for coronavirus infection. We need to come back to normalcy and the coronavirus stigma has to end. Families with positive case are facing social ostracisation. We have to urge people to come forward for self isolation.

Restarting of industrial activities will be a challenge

With thousands of migrant workers taking special trains to go back to their home states, the restarting of industrial activities will prove to be a challenge for states though several relaxations have been made in labour laws to increase factory output.

It’s human nature to want to go home: PM Modi

PM Modi mentioned: “We stressed people should stay where they are. But it’s human nature to want to go home and so we had to modify or change our decisions (kuch nirnay badalne bhi pare).”

Challenge for us to not let COVID-19 spread: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi started today’s meetings by metioning migrant labourers and their plight amid coronavirus lockdown. “It is challenge for us is to not let COVID-19 spread to villages,” PM Modi said.

Maharashtra records 22,000 coronavirus cases:

Maharashtra became the first state in the country to record over 22,000 coronavirus cases. More than 1,000 people tested positive for the virus in last 24 hours. The death toll in the state rose to 832.

Popularise Aarogya Setu app: Amit Shah

Home Minister Amit Shah was also present in today’s meeting. Shah spoke about Arogya Setu app and how important it is to fight against coronavirus in the country. He also urged CMs to popularise the importance of the app.

When will flights start?

Today’s meeting is also expected to listen to different states’ concerns about feasibility of allowing flights, if at all, with strict social distancing norms.

What to expect:

According to news agency IANS, there will be more concessions in terms of what’s allowed in the states. India is focusing on resuming economic activity which came to a standstill due to COVID-19 outbreak.

The road ahead?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets chief ministers to discuss the road ahead. This was the fifth such meeting between PM Modi and state chief minister.

Rajiv Gauba met chief secretaries on Sunday

Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba chaired a meeting with chief secretaries and health secretaries of all states/union territories to review their status of novel coronavirus or COVID-19 management

What’s next?

The focus of the meeting will be on further increasing economic activities and on tackling the pandemic in containment zones as the lockdown 3.0 is to end on May 17.

India records over 4,000 cases in 24 hours:

India witnessed a huge spike in COVID-19 count as over 4,000 people tested positive for novel coronavirus in last 24 hours. The total number of COVID-19 cases in India stood at 67,152.