Modi rules out lockdown, says prepare for Unlock 2.0

Hyderabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi put to rest rumours of a lockdown in the country and said it would not be further imposed in the country.

During the Prime Minister's videoconference with Chief Ministers on 17 June, Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao's asked Mr. Modi to clarify his stance on renewing the nationwide lockdown. Responding to KCR's request, Mr. Modi said the lockdown period was over and the unlocking period had started. He said, “There will be no lockdown in the country. The four phases of the lockdown are over. Unlock 1.0 is going on now. We should now plan unlock 2.0.”

KCR informed Mr. Modi of the measures taken by the state government to contain the spread of COVID-19. He said, “The state government is making all efforts to contain COVID-19 in the state. The virus is under control in Telangana and the death rate percentage is also low. We are confident that with the efforts of both the Central and state government, we will register a decisive victory over corona." KCR told the PM that cases are being reported in Hyderabad and neighbouring districts, and added, "We are working to contain the spread in these areas. I am confident that within a few days we will be able to control the spread of the virus."

KCR said life was getting back to normal in the state and migrant workers, hamalis, and labourers from various states are ready to come and work in the state. "We have to provide facilities for them. The entire country is one and everyone should have the facility to work anywhere in the country. Hamalis from Bihar are ready to come back to Telangana,” he said.

Regarding reports that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is preventing workers from his state from traveling to Telangana, KCR said, “Nitish ji, we are taking care of hamalis coming from your state. Our chief secretary is also a Bihari. Please send the hamalis.”