Treading cautiously

The extension of the nationwide lockdown was a foregone conclusion after the Centre and the states broadly reached a consensus on the matter last week. In fact, states such as Odisha and Punjab had already extended the lockdown/curfew even before Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation on Tuesday morning. The much-awaited relaxations might be allowed after April 20, but only after strict monitoring and these would be applicable to places where there are no hotspots. More than 80 per cent of the Covid-19 cases so far have been reported from barely 10 per cent of India’s districts. The onus will first be on the lesser-affected or unaffected districts to ensure lockdown compliance over the next week to make themselves eligible for the easing of restrictions.

Even as the lockdown has contributed to keeping coronavirus cases in the country to a manageable level so far, the colossal losses suffered on the economic front — estimated at Rs 7-8 lakh crore during the 21-day period — would only be compounded by the extension. A workable bailout plan should be in place at the earliest, especially for the poorest of the poor who are bearing the brunt of the upheaval.

With 10,000-plus cases and about 350 deaths, India is not among the worst-hit countries of the world. Opinion is divided on the proportionality of the controls imposed. The reluctance of Central and state governments to partially or fully lift the lockdown stems from the systemic inadequacies of the healthcare setup. Still, it can be reasonably presumed that India is better prepared for Covid-19 than it was three weeks ago. Every country is responding to the unprecedented challenge in its own way, but it’s noteworthy that Spain — which has the third highest death toll of over 18,000 — has started removing the curbs as the pandemic’s spread has slowed down. India would have to bite the bullet sooner or later. From now on, it would require the best of planning and execution to deal decisively with the hydra-headed problem.