After Modi-Shah meet, lockdown 4.0 may be extended by 2 weeks; expect decision in next 2 days

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held discussions with Home Minister Amit Shah in meeting on lockdown 5.0, News18 reported, citing sources. The Home Minister briefed PM Modi on the discussions he earlier held with chief ministers of various states. According to News18 sources, most CM were in favour of extending the lockdown, but were looking at further relaxations on various economic activities. The decision on the lockdown is expected to be announced in the next two day.

Meanwhile, IANS reported that Shah conveyed the views of states on the lockdown to PM Modi at his residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, in New Delhi. Sources pointed out that many states, majority of them ruled by the BJP, are in favour of the lockdown extension for the fifth time due to increase in novel coronavirus cases in the wake of return of migrant workers from different states and Indians stuck abroad.

On Thursday, Amit Shah held telephonic talks with Chief Ministers of different states as to how successful the fourth phase of the nationwide lockdown had been and what all were the expectations and demands of the states.