This Article is From Apr 08, 2020

Group Of Ministers Suggests Lockdown Extension For Schools, Colleges

Coronavirus Lockdown: While government sources said it is considering the states' proposal, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar on Monday said a decision would be taken "in the national interest" at the right time.

India Lockdown: Educational institutions will remain closed for another four weeks.

Highlights

  • All schools, colleges should remain shut, a group of ministers said
  • Ban on religious gatherings should be extended for another four weeks
  • Government sources said it is considering the states' proposal
New Delhi:

All educational institutions should remain closed for another four weeks and the ban on religious gatherings should also be extended for a similar period, a Group of Ministers proposed on Tuesday. Sources said these could be an indication that the government, which is expected to lift the countrywide lockdown over coronavirus, will do so in a staggered manner.

The three-week lockdown announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Mach 24, is expected to end on April 14. But with the number of coronavirus cases showing a steady rise, several states, including BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh, has indicated that they would prefer an extension. While government sources said it is considering the states' proposal, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar on Monday said a decision would be taken "in the national interest" at the right time.

At their fourth meeting on COVID-19 since Mach 25 on Tuesday, the ministers recommended an extension of the closure of all educational institutions irrespective of whether the lockdown is extended or not, sources said. Most schools and colleges are expected to have summer vacation shortly.

The ministers also suggested that places where the public have a tendency to gather in large numbers - such as religious centres -- should be closely monitored. Increased monitoring through drones was also suggested.

The meeting -- attended by Home Minister Amit Shah, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh -- also suggested that along with religious centres and educational institutions, shopping malls must also not be allowed to resume normal functioning for at least for four weeks from April 14, when the current lockdown ends.

Over the last 24 hours, the country registered 508 new coronavirus cases, taking the total to 4,789. The number of deaths rose to 124, showed health ministry data.

Telangana, which also suggested an extension of lockdown, quoted a survey by Boston Consulting Group, which advised lockdown till June 3. According to it, the coronaviruis cases in the country will peak by June 1, state minister KT Rama Rao told NDTV on Tuesday.

World

67,69,38,430Cases
62,55,71,965Active
4,44,81,893Recovered
68,84,572Deaths
Coronavirus has spread to 200 countries. The total confirmed cases worldwide are 67,69,38,430 and 68,84,572 have died; 62,55,71,965 are active cases and 4,44,81,893 have recovered as on January 9, 2024 at 10:54 am.

India

4,50,19,214 475Cases
3,919 -83Active
4,44,81,893 552Recovered
5,33,402 6Deaths
In India, there are 4,50,19,214 confirmed cases including 5,33,402 deaths. The number of active cases is 3,919 and 4,44,81,893 have recovered as on January 9, 2024 at 8:00 am.

State & District Details

State Cases Active Recovered Deaths
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