Decision on re-imposing lockdown in Hyderabad in 3-4 days: CM KCR

Hyderabad: With the soaring number of COVID-19 cases in Hyderabad, Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao said he will consider re-imposing a lockdown in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) area. During a meeting held at Pragathi Bhavan on 28 June, he said the state government will finalise a strategy on containment of the novel corona virus in the area within the next three-four days.

Pointing out how cities like Chennai have re-imposed a lockdown to contain the spread of the virus, the Chief Minister said, “Hyderabad is a metropolitan city with one crore people. It is but natural that like other cities in the country, the spread of corona virus is also high here. People started moving around the city after the lockdown was lifted. This led to the spread of the virus.” He further said there is no need to panic over the increasing number of cases since the state government is fully equipped to handle the issue.

Meanwhile, during the meeting, the special chief secretary (medical and health), Ms. Shanta Kumari, pointed out that the number of deaths due to the virus is very low in the state. “The average deaths due to COVID-19 at the national level is 3.04 while it is 1.52 in Telangana. More tests are being conducted in the state. All those who tested positive were given the required treatment,” she said.

The state health minister, Etela Rajender, said that several medical, health officials, and medical experts are asking for another 15-day lockdown in the GHMC limits. Meanwhile, the Chief Minister said, “Re-imposition of lockdown will be a major decision. Government machinery and people should be made ready for this.”