COVID-19: TN supports extending curbs, wants 2 lakh test kits from Centre

Supporting continuing curbs beyond April 14 for two more weeks, Chief Minister K Palaniswami on Saturday conveyed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi that train and flight services should not be resumed and stressed the importance of smooth supply of essential commodities.

In a meet via a video link with Modi to discuss the COVID-19 situation, Palaniswami sought two lakh test kits from the Centre, additional funding to aid unorganised sector workers and farm labourers, besides Rs 2,000 to each of their families if the lockdown is to be extended by the Centre.

He wanted the Centre to announce a special package for agriculture and horticulture promotion.

Briefing reporters about the video conference and a subsequent Cabinet meeting, Chief Secretary K Shanmugam said several Chief Ministers opined that under the present circumstances the lockdown should be extended and if not, all efforts taken so far to check COVID-19 will fail.

"Our Chief Minister too has favoured extension of lock down in Tamil Nadu by at least two weeks based on experts recommendation," he said.

A 19-member expert panel had on Friday favoured extending curbs for 14 more days to Chief Minister Palaniswami.

"The Cabinet meeting decided to implement the decision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on extending the lockdown at the national level," Shanmugam said.

Palaniswami has briefed the Cabinet on the views of several CMs on prolonging curbs and the recommendation of the State's expert panel to extend restrictions by 14 more days.

"Tamil Nadu government will take a decision on extending lockdown based on the announcement of the PM on the matter," he said.

Shanmugam said the Prime Minister advised states to take steps to popularise the use of 'Aarogya setu' mobile app among people and take initiatives in areas like telemedicine and follow containment and quarantine strategies according to number of positive cases in a given affected area.

While the Chief Secretary in his press conference initially said the PM was scheduled to address the nation tonight (on COVID-19), he subsequently clarified that it has not been confirmed.

The Cabinet meet deliberated on the action being taken to prevent the spread of coronavirus right from the beginning.

It lauded doctors, nurses, paramedics and police personnel for their dedication in the fight against the contagion and thanked them.

Similarly, the government appreciated and thanked the people too for their cooperation in following the lockdown.

Earlier, an official release quoted Palaniswami as saying, "Train and flight services should not be resumed. I appeal to the Prime Minister and other Chief Ministers not to allow inter State passengers movement."
"If the lockdown is extended,I request additional funding as well as allotment of essential commodities to support the unorganised sector workers and agricultural labourers. They may be provided 2,000 rupees per family."
Palaniswami also told Modi that "testing of the contacts has to be done immediately for which I require rapid test kits.I have written to the Union Health Minister to provide two lakh test kits to Tamil Nadu."