Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday held a crucial meeting via video conferencing with all the chief ministers of the states regarding the COVID-19 scenario in the country.
The meeting assumed significance even as the nation enters its last week of lockdown 2.0.
This was the fourth such meeting between Modi and state chief ministers since the coronavirus outbreak emerged.
Notably, the chief ministers from Meghalaya, Mizoram, Puducherry, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Odisha, Bihar, Gujarat and Haryana spoke about the further strategies to fight against deadly coronavirus which killed nearly 900 people in the country.
Also read: PM meeting CMs over lockdown relaxation on Monday
Meghalaya and Odisha urged Prime Minister Modi to extend the lockdown with some additional riders.
Addressing the chief ministers, Prime Minister Modi hailed the collective efforts of the states and the Centre.
Modi said the lockdown has played an effective role in containing spread of coronvirus.
During the course of the meeting, Modi said social distancing should be mantra for all.
Modi also assured the chief ministers that the country’s economy is in a good shape and there is no reason to worry.
After the meeting Meghalaya chief minister Conrad Sangma said he has mooted to continue with the lockdown even after May 3 with relaxation on activities in green zones or non-COVID-19 affected districts in Meghalaya.
Sangma also said the State will continue with lockdown beyond May 3 with restrictions on inter-state and inter-district movement.
However, essential services and travel due to medical emergency will be allowed, he said.
Meanwhile, the total number of coronavirus cases has climbed to 27,892 today, according to ministry of health and welfare.