Jitendra Singh cautions against laxity, says haste may adversely affect gains achieved in lockdown

Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Thursday said any laxity or haste on the part of people may adversely affect the advantage gained in the six weeks of the lockdown enforced to check the spread of the novel coronavirus.

In a two-hour long video conference with public activists from different districts of Jammu and Kashmir, Singh also said there is no prohibition in people's return to the Union Territory but caution has to be taken as per the home ministry guidelines to avoid COVID-19 risk to anyone.

India has been under lockdown since March 25 to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus. The first and second phase of lockdown in India was from March 25 to April 14 and April 15 to May 3, respectively. The third phase began from May 4 and would end on May 17.

Any laxity or haste at this stage could adversely affect the advantage gained in the last six weeks of the lockdown enforced to check the coronavirus endemic, he said at the video conference.

Assuring those returning to Jammu and Kashmir from outside to have patience and bear with authorities, Singh said even though the movement of people is continuing uninterrupted but it has to be carried out with caution and in keeping with the guidelines to avoid risk to others.

The Union minister in the Prime Minister's Office appreciated public activists and the civil society for coordinating with the administration in perfect harmony to fight the pandemic
The participants thanked Singh for being in regular touch with them during this period of the crisis and for enabling coordination between the administration and the civil society, it said