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The Centre doesn’t have any plans on reimposing the lockdown. PM Narendra Modi is expected to inform the CMs to not take it easy in the COVID-19 urban containment zones.

According to what a senior official told ET, the PM might ask CMs to go for door-to-door screening of people living in urban containment zones and be stringent on implementing social distancing and how they use face masks.

The centre has scheduled meetings on June 16 and 17 in two batches. An official said, “States have to call the shots now but closer central coordination is needed. The PM is expected to seek the CMs’ suggestions and draw up a common strategy. There is no plan to reimpose a blanket lockdown. For us, the test positivity ratio, which stands at 5.6% nationally, is the most important indicator as to how a state is doing against Covid-19. The key is to enforce social distancing norms effectively and impose fines if the same is not adhered to”

The centre has received updates that things have become complicated in a few states because of which by the end of June, the CM would ask certain States to increase their testing numbers so that it is easy to detect patients early and decrease the mortality rate.

If needed, all States will have the freedom to go for stricter measures. The official said, like taking examples of Punjab and Rajasthan. There is a stricter lockdown in Punjab and Rajasthan. Rajasthan opted to close its borders this week and Punjab exercises a strict lockdown during weekends.

By Neha Makhija