Coronavirus Outbreak: Govt Considering Requests From States, Experts To Extend Covid-19 Lockdown, Say Sources

The lockdown will end on April 14. The entire country is waiting with desperation for the lockdown to get lifted but the severe increase in the number of Covid-19 cases since last week indicates that the wait could be longer.

Police barricades are seen at the entrance of a society after one of the residents died due to COVID-19, amid the ongoing lockdown in the wake of coronavirus pandemic, at IP Extension in East Delhi. (Image: PTI)

New Delhi: India is observing a 21-day lockdown after PM Modi's announcement. The lockdown will end on April 14. The entire country is waiting with desperation for the lockdown to get lifted but the severe increase in the number of Covid-19 cases since last week indicates that the wait could be longer. Meanwhile, the number of Coronavirus cases in India soared to 4,421 , 326 are recovered cases, 114 deaths as per the data of Ministry of Health. The government is considering on extending the lockdown period in the country. As per the government sources, news agency ANI reported that several states and experts have urged extending the lockdown to constrain the further spread of Coronavirus infection. The Central Government is contemplating in this direction. Earlier on Monday, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao also proposed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on extending the lockdown period. The chief minister Rao forewarned that if the lockdown is lifted it could cost lives. KCR said, "The lockdown is the reason the country is saved and has seen very few cases. A country like India has to be careful otherwise it will become uncontrollable. We have no other choice except to obey the lockdown. Yesterday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hinted people to be prepared for the long haul. At a cabinet meeting, he had asked ministers to come up with a "graded plan", which was seen to indicate a gradual rollback. Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said a decision on extending the lockdown would be taken "in the national interest" and would be declared "at the right time". "We are monitoring the world situation every minute. A decision will be taken in the national interest. A decision in this regard will be declared at the right time," Mr Javadekar said, adding that an empowered group of officials was assessing the situation.