Easing the lockdown

The current Indian lockdown ends on April 14. However, there are possibilities that it may extend further, since fresh Covid-19 cases are yet surfacing. The government could strategically consider easing the lockdown in selected states, districts, towns, where the Covid-19 cases are under control. The people in these safe localities would then be able to work and start earning their wages (“PM contacts leaders, Yogi says lockdown won’t be extended,” April 6, Gulf Today).

Secondly, in addition to all essential services being operational, even the manpower that operate them, should have special permits to work. For instance, in those areas where cooking gas is supplied in cylinders, the delivery boys can be given special passes to work.

Thirdly, industries which manufacture foods, dairy products, sanitisers, medicines, batteries, etc., should be permitted to function. The distributors of these products and their distribution units, should also receive special permission to work. Restaurants should be permitted to deliver meals to homes. Shops selling foods and medicines should be encouraged to open day and night if possible.

The free availability of these products and services will help people to manage with some ease, during the lockdown. It will also be useful to provide some assistance to senior citizens, during the extended lockdown.

Rajendra Aneja — Mumbai, India