Cannot Go Back To Lockdown Era, Need To Contain Spread Of Virus: Odisha CM To PM Modi

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday stressed on bracing up with renewed efforts in awareness and enforcement to contain the spread of coronavirus instead of entering into any further lockdown restrictions.

“We cannot go back to the era of lockdowns. However, at the same time we need to ensure that the virus spread is also contained through renewed efforts in awareness and enforcement,” Patnaik said during a virtual meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

During the meeting, the Odisha CM said the State has able to control the pandemic and limit its damage to a large extent with the cooperation of people.

With the cooperation of people of #Odisha we have been able to control the pandemic and limit its damage to a large extent. We cannot go back to the era of lockdowns. However, we need to ensure that the virus spread is contained: CM Naveen during virtual discussion with PM Modi

— OTV (@otvnews) March 17, 2021

“Our health staff and administrative system have been working continuously throughout this crisis period,” the CM apprised the PM.

Stating that the roll out of the vaccine has been helpful in providing hope to the citizens that the end of the pandemic is nearing, the CM thanked scientific community for developing vaccines.

“It’s a matter of pride for us that India is leading in vaccine manufacture. We need to involve further the private sector in expediting the vaccination program,” he said.

Speaking on the surge in Covid-19 cases in some states, the CM stressed on the need to be careful. “The long period of this crisis has brought fatigue and complacency in following Covid health protocols. We need to be careful as multiple surges of Covid spread is the reality in many countries and as witnessed in many states in India as well,” he said.

“We will continue to extent all support to the Union Government in this fight against Covid,” the CM maintained.

(Edited By Pradeep Singh)