Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a virtual meeting with chief ministers on Monday, asked states to formulate SOPs for graded opening, sources told CNBC-TV18. The PM said that the SOPs will be the new way of lifestyle to be followed for sometime, the sources added.

According to the sources mentioned above, Modi is in favour of graded opening of green zones, however, the government does not support opening up red and orange zones post May 3.

Modi called for a massive reforms push, said the sources. The PM said that this is the time to plan reforms and asked states to take forward measures for social and economic welfare, they added.

Prime Minister Modi said that the lockdown has yielded positive results and the country has managed to save thousands of lives in the past six weeks.

The PM stressed on the mantra of ‘do gazdoori’ (referring to maintaining distance).

Modi also added that the efforts of the states should be directed towards converting the red zones into orange and thereafter to green zones while keeping the economy in focus.

He forewarned that the danger of the virus is far from over and constant vigilance is of paramount importance. Citing experts, he said the impact of coronavirus will remain visible in the coming months.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who was also a part of the meeting, said that the lockdown needs to be followed strictly by all states to come out of the crisis caused by the deadly coronavirus in India.

As of Monday, India has nearly 30,000 COVID-19 cases and has reported 884 deaths.

"We have given some relaxation to trade and industry... We need to fight this with patience," Shah said in the meeting.

Meghalaya chief minister Conrad Sangma mooted to continue with the lockdown post May 3 with relaxation on activities in green zones or non-COVID zones districts in the state.

At the video conference called by the Hon’ble PM @narendramodi ji and Hon’ble Home Minister, @AmitShah ji. We have mooted to continue with the lockdown post May 3rd with relaxation on activities in Green Zones or Non-Covid affected districts in #Meghalaya.#CovidUpdates pic.twitter.com/rMrS6j3cPP

— Conrad Sangma (@SangmaConrad) April 27, 2020

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First Published:Apr 27, 2020 12:20 PM IST