Final week of lockdown: What states have done so far

As India enters final week of the lockdown, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday held a video conference with chief ministers to discuss the situation arising due to COVID-19 in the country, and the way forward.

The meeting, which lasted over three hours, was attended by Home Minister Amit Shah, Health Minister Harsh Vardhan and top officials from the PMO and Union Health Ministry.

Even as India scrambles to contain the coronavirus outbreak that has claimed over 800 lives and affected almost 28,000 people, major hotspots have broken out in parts of the country, including Mumbai and Delhi, making chief ministers wary of resuming activity and reopening state borders.


Some states, including Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Haryana and Karnataka have said they would follow the Centre’s directive on the issue, while others, including Assam, Kerala and Bihar, have adopted a wait-and-watch strategy.

Although another complete lockdown may be out of the cards, a staggered exit is what is widely expected now, with red zones still facing strict restrictions on movement.

Here is what the states have said:

Maharashtra (Total cases: 8068, Deaths: 342*): Maharashtra health minister Rajesh Tope advocated extending the lockdown in the containment areas in Mumbai and Pune regions, which account for 92% of the total cases in the state, till May 18. There are 512 active containment zones in the state currently, with over 700 containment zones in Mumbai alone.

Delhi (Total cases: 2918, Deaths: 54): Delhi government has made it clear that the lockdown will have to be continued beyond May 3 in the national capital. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced the implementation of the MHA's guidelines on the opening of shops, but said the lockdown will not be relaxed beyond what the Centre has suggested.

West Bengal (Total cases: 649, Deaths: 20): Chief minister Mamata Banerjee has said the state will abide by the Centre's orders on a lockdown extension, though she has asked for an extension. Howrah, the worst-hit zone in the state has been completely sealed, with even essential services being put on hold.

Kerala (Total cases: 458, Deaths: 4): Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan decided to skip the meeting today. The state government said the final call on an extension will only be taken after the meeting with the PM.

Meghalaya (Total cases: 12, Deaths: 1): Meghalaya said it will continue with the shutdown beyond May 3 with relaxations in 'Green Zones' or non-COVID affected districts. Two districts have been classified as red zones.

Goa (Total cases: 7, Deaths: 0): Even though Goa became India's first state to become virus-free, the state government has asked that the lockdown be extended. Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that relaxation should be provided for economic activities within the state.

Puducherry (Total cases: 7, Deaths: 0): Territorial Chief Minister V Narayanasamy has also batted for an extension in the lockdown period. Narayanasamy asked the Centre for an economic package, including GST compensation for at least four months. He also sought Centre’s intervention for providing Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) and other medical equipment for the state’s healthcare warriors.

Odisha (Total cases: 103, Deaths: 1): Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik urged the Centre to initiate measures to kickstart the economy. He suggested that Niti Ayog should come up with transformative ideas to keep the economy moving in this grim situation. Even if the national lockdown continues, economic activities within the states should be allowed.

*Covid tally as per health ministry figures on April 27.