Extend lockdown by two more weeks, Assam asks Centre

GUWAHATI: Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Friday said the state has appealed to the Centre in writing to extend the ongoing lockdown by two more weeks after the end of the third phase of the nationwide lockdown on May 17.
"In the last video conference with the Prime Minister, all states were asked to submit their suggestions in writing on implementation of the lockdown by May 15. We have submitted our suggestions and we have appealed for extension of the lockdown by two weeks. We have also sought financial assistance," Sonowal said.
The chief minister also lauded the measures, including the lockdown, initiated by the Centre to stem the spread of the disease. "People of the country have responded well to the bold decision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in enforcing the lockdown. The states have given their suggestions and the Centre will take the final decision after going through these suggestions," he said.
Sonowal said the challenges posed by the pandemic will, in all likelihood, increase in the coming days, but insisted there was no need to panic. "It will be a mammoth challenge for us. The only thing that I request the public to do is to follow the norm of social distancing. We will have to face this patiently. Covid-19 is an exceptional, unprecedented challenge," he added.
The chief minister also said that during the ongoing lockdown, the state machinery has provided ration to around 44 lakh people, who are not the targeted beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).
With positive cases in the state reaching 86, Sonowal urged the people not to panic and emphasised on the need to stay united in the fight against the pandemic. He also appealed to people not to ostracise infected persons. "Ostracisation of coronavirus patients should never happen," he said.