(Track Here)
IV. Why the extension of lockdown is desirable
As we are almost more than halfway of lockdown at this moment there is a feeling of curiosity among the citizen that whether this lockdown should be extended or not, honestly only government can decide this but let’s discuss the reasons as to why the extension of lockdown is desirable-
Study of research conducted by Cambridge University – According to research conducted by Cambridge University, India needs 49-day lockdown, not 21 to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers gave forecast patterns of 21 days as well as 49-days lockdown. There were 4 cases were given –
- Resurgence: Cases will decrease during lockdown but increase exponentially once lockdown is over 21 days {current scenario}
- Still Resurgence: 5 days break of lockdown to push the economy and let people reach their homes if they are stuck somewhere and 28 days second lockdown. Cases will increase after the lockdown.
- The number of infected below: This case discussed 67 days lockdown but it wasn’t feasible because of various shortcomings.
- Most optimum: This case advocated direct 49 days lockdown without any cooling-off period. Though cases 3rd and 4th have the same results the last case is most optimum as it would end soon.[4]
Online National Legislative Drafting and Review Competition 2020
Experience in other countries
China started its lockdown in its territory on 22nd Jan and it continued till 25th march and it’s worth mentioning here there were zero cases from 21st march to 25th march hence they decided to withdraw lockdown and right after this decision china revealed 1,541 asymptomatic cases amid concern of the second wave of infection.
Even after 63 days of lockdown, they reported new cases with no symptoms. Experts claimed that they haven’t achieved herd immunity till now that’s why more cases were reported.
Similarly, Hong Kong started its lockdown in mid-Feb though very few cases were reported there suddenly there has been a rise in the number of cases and they aren’t able to find the reason behind this. Considering all these cases a longer lockdown is desirable to control and fight this epidemic.
V. Conclusion
When our government decided to implement the lockdown its main objective was self-isolation and maintaining the social distancing but we have come across many incidents where even with lockdown our people made a mockery of social distancing and this resulted in increased no of infection nationwide.
Though we are facing many troubles in this lockdown period, our economy is going down, people are afraid of losing their jobs but this is the time when we all come forward as a nation and take a pledge that no matter what we will fight and we will win!
Contributed By – Abhyudaya Raj Mishra
Extension Of Lockdown || The contributor is a student at Himachal Pradesh National Law University, Shimla.