India lockdown: Centre unlikely to impose one even as States/UTs can customise theirs

According to a report by TOI, the Indian government is unlikely to impose a nationwide lockdown, though states and UTs have been advised to take stringent measures and implement “customised lockdowns” to break the chain of transmission and curb the spread of COVID-19 infection, official sources said.

The Supreme Court today directed the central and state governments to consider enforcing a ban on mass gatherings and super spreader events as well as consider imposing a lockdown. "We would seriously urge the central and state governments to consider imposing a ban on mass gatherings and super spreader events. They may also consider imposing a lockdown to curb the virus in the second wave in the interest of public welfare," the Supreme Court said.

"Having said that, we are cognisant of the socio-economic impact of a lockdown, specifically, on the marginalised communities. Thus, in case the measure of a lockdown is imposed, arrangements must be made beforehand to cater to the needs of these communities," the apex court added.


Incidentally, US' top pandemic advisor Anthony Fauci said that India should go into lockdown for several weeks to arrest the current devastating surge in COVID-19 cases. "I think the most important thing in the immediate is to get oxygen, get supplies, get medication, get PPE, those kinds of things," the Indian Express daily quoted Fauci as saying in an interview. "But also, one of the immediate things to do is to essentially call a shutdown of the country," he said.

"And if you shut down, you don't have to shut down for six months. You can shut down temporarily to put an end to the cycle of transmission," he added. "No one likes to lock down the country... But if you do it just for a few weeks, you could have a significant impact on the dynamics of the outbreak."

The Health Ministry has already suggested a strict lockdown in at least around 150 districts with high positivity rate beyond 15%. It has also given a free hand to states to decide parameters of restrictions.

India reported 3,68,147 new COVID-19 cases, and 3,417 deaths in the last 24 hours.