• By Aalok Sensharma
  • Sat, 11 Apr 2020 04:14 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND

New Delhi | Jagran News Desk: Hours after the video conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday tweeted that the prime minister has decided to extend the lockdown to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus that has claimed the lives of 239. 

"PM has taken the correct decision to extend lockdown. Today, India’s position is better than many developed countries because we started lockdown early. If it is stopped now, all gains would be lost. To consolidate, it is important to extend it," Kejriwal tweeted.

However, there has been no official announcement of the extension of the 21-day nationwide lockdown, which ends on April 14, yet.

PM Modi on Saturday held his second meeting with chief ministers of all states to discuss about the coronavirus outbreak in the country. In his second meeting with the chief ministers, PM Modi said that to save life of every citizen, lockdown and social distancing are very important.

"'Jaan bhi and Jahan bhi' - a future where people care about both the aspects, follow their duties and abide by the directions of the government - this will be important for India's prosperous and healthy future," PM Modi said, as reported by news agency ANI. 

After the meeting, sources -- quoted by PTI -- said that Kejriwal had suggested the extension of the lockdown till April 30 during the interaction with the prime minister.

The Centre is considering a request made by most states to extend the ongoing nationwide lockdown by two more weeks beyond April 14, government sources said on Saturday after Modi's interaction with chief ministers.

"Most states requested to extend the lockdown by two weeks and the Centre is considering the request," a government source said.  

(With PTI inputs)