Telangana CM favours extension of national lockdown by 1-2 weeks

Asserting that lockdown was the nation's sole weapon to fight the coronavirus, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Monday appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to extend it beyond April 14 by one or two weeks for saving the lives of people.

While agreeing that continuing the lockdown would impact adversely the economy, he, however, said ways can be found to recover from it once the threat of COVID-19 goes away but human lives cannot be saved.

"I am for the lockdown of the country furthermore after April 15. Because, we can recover from economic problem. But, we cannot recover the lives of the people... So, I propose at least for another one-two weeks. Extension should be at least for one or two weeks more. Then we can review, he told reporters here.

Rao, who has been backing Modi's initiatives in fighting the coronavirus, from the beginning, said given the spread of the virus in the country, lockdown should be its only weapon.

It would be difficult for the country to contain it in view of its poor health infrastructure, he said.

"I appeal to the Honourable Prime Minister, to the Government of India, please extend the lockdown without any hesitation," he said.

Rao further said: "Consult everybody, consult every Chief Minister, have a video conference with entire country, but take a conscious decision. Because, we have no other weapon in India to contain this dreadful virus. Our only weapon could be extending the lockdown."