India Likely to Extend National Lockdown by 2 Weeks... "Modi Agrees to State Chief Ministers' Request"

After the Indian government issued a nationwide lockdown to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), on the 2nd (local time), residents waiting for free meals inside the "social distancing" circles drawn on the roads of New Delhi left their belongings to reserve their spots. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Bu Aeri] India, which imposed a three-week national lockdown, is expected to extend the related measures for about two more weeks.

Indian media such as NDTV reported, citing government officials, that Prime Minister Narendra Modi decided on this direction after holding a video conference with the chief ministers of each state on the day.

At the meeting, a considerable number of participants, including Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, requested Prime Minister Modi to extend the lockdown until the end of this month. They argued that to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), the lockdown, which is set to end on the 14th, should be maintained for about two more weeks.

Prime Minister Modi is also known to have decided to accept the extension plan.

After the meeting, Chief Minister Kejriwal said on Twitter, "Prime Minister Modi has made the right decision regarding the extension of the lockdown."

He added, "Thanks to India imposing the lockdown early, the situation is better than in other advanced countries," and "If we stop now, we will lose everything we have gained."

Some local governments, such as Odisha and Punjab, have already decided to extend the lockdown independently of the federal government's decision.

The Indian government imposed a three-week national lockdown starting from the 25th of last month. During the lockdown, schools, transportation services, and industrial facilities were all closed, and residents were only allowed to go out for essential purchases on a limited basis.

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Modi hinted at gradually lifting the lockdown measures. He emphasized the need for an "exit strategy" as economic activities were paralyzed and millions of daily wage workers, who lost their jobs, fled from big cities, causing chaos.

However, as concerns about cluster infections arose in various places and the spread of COVID-19 did not seem to subside, it appears that the government shifted to maintaining the lockdown framework for the time being.

Nevertheless, it is reported that Prime Minister Modi plans to gradually allow economic activities such as operating industrial facilities even if the lockdown is extended.

As of 5 p.m. on the 11th, the cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in India is 7,447.

Considering the population of 1.35 billion, the number of confirmed cases is still relatively low, but the daily increase in new cases recently rose to the 800s, showing a steep upward trend.

In particular, confirmed cases surged after an Islamic religious gathering held in mid-last month in Nizamuddin, New Delhi.

Prayers and sermons were conducted in a crowded space, and after the gathering ended, attendees returned to various parts of India, becoming a "base" for the spread of infection.

It is estimated that about one-third of all confirmed cases in India are related to the attendees of this event.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.