Lockdown 'extension'

As the 4.0 nationwide lockdown is due to end on 31 May, the constant rise in the number of COVID-19 positive cases has prompted speculation that the government will be left with no option but to declare the 5.0 lockdown soon after the span of the ongoing fourth phase expires. All will agree in one voice that in the light of the current situation, the government is not in a position to lift the lockdown completely. I think the country needs a complete lockdown of at least 15 days more like that of the first phase. Now, it will have to be an approach wherein cases don't jump up too fast and economy also does not get collapsed completely. In this case, the government must come up with innovative ways. Needless to say, there are fears that a further lockdown will impact the moribund economy of the country terribly. Yet, the government seems to be at its loose ends at this moment. If all the restrictions are removed, it is most likely that the nation will witness a high spike in positive cases which will result in posing a dire challenge for the country's health infrastructure, leaving medical staff and doctors overburdened. A break is the need of the hour to reduce the pace of the contagion. Also, it will enable the healthcare officials to identify the fresh infections and hence contain further spread to others. I strongly believe that if the populace of the country realizes the gravity of the situation and behave prudently, and the government comes up with much-needed minutely planned guidelines and ensures its stringent stand with regards to the following of the same, the situation will surely take a positive turn. Our support to the government is always important in bouncing back. We should remember that lockdown is a strategy to combat the virus. Without our cooperation and goodwill, it is bound to fail.

Dipen Gogoi,

Teok, Jorhat 

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