Need to follow mantra of 'do gaz doori', lockdown saved thousands of lives: PM

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday held a video conference with the chief minister of various states to chalk out a plan for tackling the coronavirus pandemic in the country.

"Our aim must be a rapid response, need to follow mantra of ‘do gaz doori’," he said during the meeting. This was the fourth such interactions with the chief ministers since the outbreak of coronavirus pandemic.

Expressing confidence that the efforts to stall the spread of coronavirus are showing positive results so far, the Prime Minister added that the crisis is likely to linger for the coming few months.

"Impact of coronavirus will remain visible in the coming months, masks and face covers will be part of our life," he said. The PM forewarned that the danger of the virus is far from over and constant vigilance is of paramount importance.

During the meeting, the chief ministers gave suggestions to meet the economic challenges emanating out of the crisis and underlined the importance of fortifying the medical infrastructure in their respective states.

The Prime Minister asserted that the states should aim at reducing the number of hotspots and converting red zones into orange, and orange into green zones.

He emphasised on the significance of ensuring that more people download the AarogyaSetu app to bolster the efforts of the country in the battle against Covid-19.

The Prime Minister also gave credit to the lockdown, saying that its successful implementation has managed to save thousands of lives in the last one-and-half month.

PM Modi also stressed on the need for states to take steps to bring in reforms "that touch the lives of common citizens".

"We have to give importance to the economy as well as continue the fight against Covid-19," he said.

During the meeting, all the leaders expressed gratitude towards the police force and medical staff for the exemplary work done by them in the fight against Covid-19.