Bolster efforts to contain COVID-19 spread: Prez to Guvs

President Ram Nath Kovind and Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Friday advised all Governors and Lieutenant Governors (LGs) to bolster efforts to contain and manage the spread of novel coronavirus pandemic.

They expressed their views in a video-conference meeting with the Governors, LGs and Administrators of states and Union Territories (UTs) at a time when the deadly virus has claimed 56 lives and over 2300 confirmed cases across the country.

Both the leaders discussed measures to combat the COVID-19 crisis as the country is under 21-day lockdown till April 14 to break the chain of transmission of the disease that has created havoc across the globe with over 50,000 deaths and 10 lakh confirmed cases after its origin from China's Wuhan city in December end last year.

The agenda of the video conference from the Rashtrapati Bhavan included the status of coronavirus cases in states, Red Cross' role with focus on vulnerable sections, and the role of civil society, voluntary organizations, private sector in complementing the efforts of the Union and state governments to contain the spread. It was the second such conference held by the President and the Vice President within 10 days.

In a video conference on March 27, 14 Governors and Delhi LG Anil Baijal had shared with the President their experiences in their respective states and UTs. The remaining Governors, LGs and administrators shared their experiences on Friday.

On March 27, the President asked the Governors and LGs to rope in volunteers from the Red Cross and other religious organizations to contain the outbreak of the coronavirus.

The President then emphasized India's inherent strength of sharing and caring, and that the measures should be directed to mitigate the sufferings of the most vulnerable section of the society.