MASSIVE: Odisha becomes India's first state to extend Coronavirus lockdown, till April 30

Odisha on Thursday has become the first state in the country to extend the lockdown in view of the Coronavirus pandemic. "During the ongoing lockdown period amid COVID-19 crisis, your discipline and sacrifice have provided us with the strength to fight Coronavirus," CM Naveen Patnaik said to the people of Odisha according to a local channel. The lockdown has been extended till April 30.

The Odisha government has also decided to close all schools and other educational institutions till June 17. CM Patnaik said that he will suggest the Centre to extend the national lockdown till April 30 to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to this, his government will also request the Central government to keep the airlines and railway services shut till April 30. 

'Odisha will take care of all the people who are stranded'

Patnaik informed that the state cabinet in the meeting on Thursday decided that saving lives of the people is the "top most priority of the government."  "In regard to the people from Orissa who are stranded in various parts of the country, our intervention for their well-being will be through the concerned State Governments. Odisha will take care of all the people who are stranded in Odisha," CM Patnaik said. 

The Chief Minister said that activities related to agriculture, animal husbandry etc will be facilitated during the lockdown period following social distancing norms and in a larger context food security of the people is a major priority of the state .

The BJD leader said, "As has been stated earlier , there will not be any problem in transport of goods .We are leaving no stone unturned in scaling up COVID testing and treatment Facilities. We propose to do one lakh rapid testing in the state at the earliest possible time. We would like to thank doctors from all over the country who have volunteered to offer their services.

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"Coronavirus is the biggest threat that the human race has faced in more than a century. Life will not be the same ever. All of us must understand this and face it boldly together. With our sacrifice and with the blessings of the Lord Jagannath, this too shall pass," he said.

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The development comes after states, district administrations and experts suggested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to extend ongoing lockdown beyond April 14 to contain the spread of the virus. 

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The situation in the country is akin to a "social emergency" and it has necessitated tough decisions, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told political leaders on the coronavirus outbreak as he asserted that his government's priority is to "save each and every life". Interacting with floor leaders of opposition and other parties in parliament via video conferencing on Wednesday, PM Modi said, "We must continue to remain vigilant."

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