CHENNAI: Chief minister M K Stalin on Saturday hinted at the possibility of extending total lockdown sans relaxations against the backdrop of the state surpassing 36,000 fresh Covid-19 cases a day.
Stalin was addressing a meeting of legislature parties at the secretariat, soon after holding a session with medical experts. The total lockdown imposed by the state ends on May 24.
“The experts unanimously suggested that imposition of total and aggressive lockdown sans any relaxations alone would contain the spread. Got similar views during my visit to the districts as well. Given the circumstances, the government has to decide on imposing total lockdown without relaxations,” the chief minister said.
The Covid-19 spread had not been brought under control yet but declined, Stalin said.
He said the government announced relaxations for the welfare of the public to buy groceries and vegetables, but certain individuals took it for granted and roamed on the streets unnecessarily. They did not oblige despite advisories from police.
“Total lockdown is for the people’s welfare and to save their lives. It hurts when certain people don’t realize that. A few think it is a holiday season. This is not the holiday season but corona season,” the CM said.
If only the public took a pledge that they would not get the virus and pass it on to someone, the infectious disease could be ended. “Fear of corona is evident while the public speak about the disease, but it does not reflect in their actions. Such a sense of caution should be instilled in the minds,” Stalin said, adding how Covid-19 took away precious lives last year and even put the future of many families in question.
Detailing the hardships of the health staff during the pandemic, Stalin said the state had lost many doctors and the health department was facing a major psychological distress. “They work without worrying about their lives. They cannot be given more burden and pressure anymore,” Stalin said.
Stalin said the school and college students were the ones facing the biggest crisis due to Covid-19. “For them, holidays were joyful but now it has turned into misery. They could become depressed. How many months more could the schools and colleges be shut down? They have to be provided with education and future immediately,” the CM said.
