Hinting at partial relaxations in the lockdown-like curbs imposed in the State under “Health Safety Week” Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Monday sought suggestions from people on the mode of Unlock 1.0. Within hours the Twitter handle and Facebook post of CM was flooded with over 2.5K comments and suggestions, many of which were stressing on opening up avenues of livelihood in the State.
“Friends, how should be unlock 1? With your support in Health Safety Week, we have overcome the second wave of Corona. In this struggle for life and livelihood, now our focus is on livelihood. So, by commenting your valuable thoughts, share how the process of Unlock 1 should be?” posted the CM on Facebook and Twitter. The responses to the Tweet/Facebook post came swiftly.
“Attempts by the Government of Jharkhand to break the Corona Chain during Covid Security Week are commendable. Now the conditions are getting favourable. So keeping in mind ‘life as well as livelihood’ - allow the textile business and others to open the establishment at 10 am-5pm with great precaution,” tweeted Jharkhand Thok vastra Vikreta Sangh.
One Pratik Ranjan suggested that offices should be opened with 25-50 per cent staff and all businesses can be opened with time restrictions, like 10-2 food items, 2-5 clothes etc. Echoing similar views, one Sachin Sharma wrote, “Taking cue from other states the lockdown should continue till June 10 at least and focus should be on more and more vaccination. After June 10 everything should be opened with 50 per cent capacity.”
“What if we make Jharkhand corona free with zero case and then we plan to unlock? Because, after a few months maybe, cases will again increase, but for our safety, we can make zero contact from outside our borders. Strict Protocols for travelers should be there. Jharkhand can be the first State free from COVID-19,” tweeted one Tushar.
“As on 29th May, we got 823 cases which are decreasing slowly. Third wave can be more dangerous than the second. We don’t know what is going to happen next, but today if we manage a few months more, then in future we won’t need to lockdown our state. Health is wealth & each life matters,” he added.
And then there were suggestions on removing the e-pass system. “Sir, first abolish the e-pass rule because there are fewer options in the same and if someone needs to go out urgently for something one is unable to go. I think the e-pass system should not be there,” wrote Subhangi.
Dr Mrinal Gaurav wrote, “The unlocking process must provide for opening up of all livelihood/economic activities to ensure income generation for masses of the State. The non-essential businesses may be put in two categories and allowed to open on alternate days. Home delivery must be allowed for all businesses on all weekdays.”
Notably, the Health Safety Week with restrictions on movement of people is ending on June 03 and in the wake of constant decrease in Covid-cases across the State the government is said to be willing to open up business activities. However, the second wave of Covid-19 has frightened people and policy makers too. The State government is likely to take a decision on lifting restrictions in a day or two.