Reviewing lockdown

Halfway as the country trundles towards the lockdown deadline, a sense of drift seems to have arisen with there being no clear view on what is required ahead — further extension or calling it off? The states seem to have their own views with Punjab announcing partial curbs, while Delhi, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu have denied such plans. Amid all this, Prime Minister Modi plans to have another round of video-conferencing with the states on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The plan of action will be clear only later. The Punjab CM has said that the pandemic is likely to peak in August, while the Union Education Minister does not expect schools and colleges to reopen before that month. The one commonality to the problems faced by the states is restarting economic activities amid the restrictions. The Centre is besieged by the pandemic as also by trials to get peace restored on the borders. There are apprehensions over community transmission speeding up once all restrictions are lifted. What is now being witnessed is a change in emphasis as also an organised or rather captive bid to resume economic activity. Jharkhand is sending workers to bolster infrastructure on the China border for the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), even as it first saw the return of migrant workers. After the initial exodus, there are reports of farmers in Punjab sending vehicles to bring back workers, even as the crisis offers a chance to break free from the wheat-paddy cycle and opt for crop diversification. And the healthcare sector has had to redefine its priorities, though much needs to be done.

Restrictions on movement remain. The Railways has run trains for dedicated purposes, while special flights have evacuated Indian nationals stranded in other countries. The next step could be allowing free movement. Despite a surge in Covid cases, economic activities shouldn’t get curtailed any further.

Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.