Sj Desk
On Tuesday, Home Minister Amit Shah assured citizens that there will be no shortage of essential items including food and medicine during the extended period of lockdown announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the morning. In his address to the nation, the prime minister announced the extension of the ongoing lockdown by more than a fortnight, till May 3.
PM Modi, too talked about enough supplies and a smooth supply chain in his televised address on Tuesday morning. He said that the supply chain of essential items was being cleared gradually. He assured that there as no shortage of essential items including food material. Shah also reiterated the point while advising residents not to panic.
“Sufficient reserves of food, medicines and other daily essentials in the country, no need for any citizen to panic,” Shah’s statement released by PIB said.
Shah also appreciated the smooth communication between the states and the Centre, saying “Commendable coordination seen between Centre and States to fight COVID-19."
The prime minister had said that the timely decision taken by the government to impose the first 21-day nationwide lockdown has helped in mitigating the situation that could have been far worse had this step not be taken.
“In my discussions with the state governments, and various stakeholders, one thing was unanimous: That we should extend the lockdown. So, I announce today that the lockdown will be extended till May 3,” he said.
The prime minister warned that in the coming week, strict rules and guidelines will be followed in the identified hotspots across the country. This strictness will only be relaxed if the spots show signs of improvement.
"Every town ,every police station, every district, every state till April 20 will be tested like how much lockdown is being followed, how much that area has protected itself from corona, and it will be analysed and seen," Modi said.
