Next 7 days critical in evolving lockdown exit plan: Vice President Venkaiah Naidu

At the end of the two weeks of lockdown, with the government mulling on a possible extension Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday said considerations of the health of the people should take precedence over stabilisation of economy.

“In my view, while the concerns of economy can wait for another day, that of health can’t,” Mr. Naidu said. He appealed to people to abide by whatever decision was ultimately taken by the leadership and co-operate in the ongoing national effort. “The next one week of lockdown is very critical for evolving an exit strategy since the data regarding the spread of virus and its rate during the next week will have a bearing on the decision to be taken,” he added. Mr. Naidu said the Tablighi Jamaat congregation was an avoidable slip.

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“The extent of participation in this congregation and its multiplier effect have upset our expectations. The avoidable episode highlighted the consequences of any slip by way of violating the rules of social and physical distancing to contain the spread of virus. In that sense, this avoidable aberration should only be seen as an eye-opener to all others,” he said.

He said the duration of the fight against coronavirus remained uncertain at the moment. “Let’s live with the hardship a little longer for a better tomorrow,” Mr. Naidu added.

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