Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held video conference with Chief Ministers to monitor and deliberate in the ways to check the spread of coronavirus and various measures of preparedness of the pandemic. Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan and top health ministry officials were also present in the three hour long meeting held via video link, which started at 4pm. Many Chief Ministers urged Prime Minister for ban of international flights from sensitive countries for some more time and demanded for financial packages to workers in the un-organised sectors.
Modi appreciated the steps taken by the States and thanked them for sharing their experiences and giving suggestions. He talked about the urgent need of capacity building of healthcare workers and augmentation of healthcare infrastructure. He suggested that the Chief Ministers should do video conference with trade bodies in their states to prevent black marketing and undue price rise. He urged them to use soft power of persuasion as well as legal provisions, wherever necessary.
"Prime Minister said that the COVID-19 Economic Task Force set up by Government of India will formulate the strategy to devise suitable approach to effectively tackle the economic challenge. He urged the Chief Ministers to ensure that all necessary steps are taken and all advisories are adhered to in order to ensure the safety of citizens in the country at large. No stone should be left unturned in our common endeavors to fight COVID-19," said PMO in a statement.
There was unanimous opinion on need of awareness and training to the health workers in the field. Punjab Chief Minister Amrinder Singh, Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath were among those who attended the video conference. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee reiterated for stopping international flights to the state and demanded for financial packages to the workers and those working the un-organised sector.
Maharashtra CM urged for the increase of in the number of coronavirus testing Laboratories in the country.