The government is under constant pressure to continue with lockdown and in such a scenario lifting it will be a tough call. The decision of restrictions easing out will be conveyed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi closer to April 14, 2020. The PM is meeting with Chief Ministers of various states to hear out their plans and suggestions on what needs to be done in their respective states once the lockdown ends on April 14.
Several meetings had already taken place with the top officials of the government of India in the past week to discuss the lockdown and measures to be taken in the post-April 14 scenario. There were two key considerations during these deliberations. The question of life and livelihood are equally important.
Lockdown needed to be lifted in a staggered manner as it had to be ensured that India does not go into negative growth. Opinion emerged in these meetings that a balance had to be stuck in a situation like this. Lives have to be saved, but it was also important to revive economic activity.
In order to revive economic activity, the nation had to be divided into three zones. The red zone would be the one with the most number of coronavirus cases and these zones would remain locked down. In the yellow zone, where a limited number of cases are reported, the activity would resume, but the movement would be heavily monitored. In the green zones, where no coronavirus activity is reported normalcy should return.
At least 400 districts have not reported any COVID-19 related activity. These districts could be opened up for the activity. However, there shall be no inward or outward movement of people in these districts to ensure that new cases do not crop up.
