NEW DELHI, April 9 (Xinhua) -- India's eastern state of Odisha announced on Thursday that it had extended the ongoing lockdown in the state over the COVID-19 pandemic until April 30.
With this decision, Odisha has taken lead over other Indian states in extending the lockdown.
"The lockdown period in Odisha has been extended to April 30 as per the decision of the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik," a brief statement issued by the Odisha government said.
After chairing a cabinet meeting over video-conferencing, Patnaik in a video message released to media said his government was giving more importance to human life than to the economy and also urged the federal government to extend the lockdown.
"The state cabinet which met today decided that saving the lives of our people is the topmost priority at this juncture. Accordingly, we have decided to extend the lockdown till April 30th," he said.
"We will recommend to the government of India to extend the national lockdown up to April 30. At this crucial juncture, one has to decide between protecting the lives of people and economic activity."
Patnaik thanked people of Odisha for their support and cooperation in this serious crisis situation
Odisha has reported 42 cases of the COVID-19 and one death.
The chief minister said activities related to agriculture and animal husbandry will be facilitated during the lockdown period following social distancing norms.
"Coronavirus is the biggest threat that the human race has faced in more than a century. Life will not be the same ever. All of us must understand this and face it boldly together," Patnaik said.
The death toll due to the COVID-19 in India on Thursday rose to 166 and the total number of confirmed cases in the country reached 5,734.
Thursday marks the sixteenth straight day of the ongoing 21-day lockdown across the country announced by the government on March 25 to contain the spread of the pandemic.
The three-week lockdown is expected to end on April 14.
On Wednesday Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting with key political leaders and he hinted that the ongoing lockdown could be extended.
