Covid-19: Odisha becomes first state to extend lockdown to April 30

The state, which has had just one casualty among 44 infected, built a state-of-the-art hospital exclusively for Corona patients within a week

Odisha, the state that took the lead in announcing a lockdown to combat the Covid-19 pandemic, has also become the first to extend it till April 30.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced the decision to defer the lockdown given the gravity of the situation, after chairing an exigent Cabinet meeting. He said he would urge the Centre to extend the lockdown till the end of this month.

The Odisha CM admitted it was a tough decision as he had to choose between saving ‘people’s lives’ and ‘economic activity’.

“I know it involves a lot of sacrifice, hardship and uncertainty but this is the