Left, Right & Centre

India has recorded over 9,000 coronavirus cases and 324 deaths so far. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation on Tuesday at 10 am on the coronavirus lockdown, after requests from states to extend it. Dr Randeep Guleria, Director, AIIMS, says the lockdown has helped India in keeping the number of coronavirus cases low.

Migrant workers are the worst hit due to the lockdown. Thousands were seen walking home to their states, while some stayed back. If the lockdown is extended, labourers living in construction sites are likely to try to go home. They say hunger will kill them before the coronavirus does.

After some chief ministers announced different approaches on the ground to tackle COVID-19, how are states preparing to enforce the extension of the lockdown? Trinamool Congress MP Derek O'Brien says the West Bengal government has always taken a humane approach and "right now there is no time for complacency".

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has demanded an early economic package from the centre to boost the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) sector amid the lockdown over coronavirus. Mr Baghel was among the chief ministers who attended Prime Minister Narendra Modi's video conference to discuss whether to extend the 21-day lockdown beyond next week. Chhattisgarh Health Minister TS Singh Deo says the country must work on improving and increasing the COVID-19 testing protocol.

The nationwide lockdown that was to end on Tuesday is now going to be extended by another two weeks but, with some exemptions and changes. The 21-day nationwide "total lockdown" ordered by PM Modi last month, which has seen all commercial establishments and shops shut down, except those selling groceries, vegetables and medicines, has hit the economy hard and today's decision marks a shift in tackling the pandemic, from saving lives to saving both lives and the economy. Three weeks ago, while announcing the lockdown, PM Modi had said, "Jaan hai toh jahaan hai" meaning the world exists only if life exists.

Speaking exclusively to NDTV on Left, Right and Centre, Professor Faheem Yonus from University of Maryland said that the keyword for COVID-19 plasma treatment is that it's promising. Talking specifically on the plasma treatment, he further said that plasma is one resource that is in adequate amount and will continue to increase as more people become infected, they will become immune and will be able to become donors.

With Odisha being the first state to extend its lockdown till April 30, the big question remains will the countrywide lockdown be extended. Joining on the discussion on Left, Right and Centre, BJD MP Pinaki Misra, Karnataka expert committee member Dr CN Manjunath and FICCI President Dr Sangita Reddy talks on whether the countrywide lockdown should be extended or not.

On Left, Right and Centre, we speak to the Director General of Confederation of Indian Industry Chandrajit Banerjee and former president of CII Naushad Forbes on what will it take to restart the economy post-COVID 19.

Speaking exclusively to NDTV on Left, Right and Centre, West Bengal Finance Minister Amit Mitra said that at least 5 per cent of the GDP is needed to fight the coronavirus pandemic. He further said that borrowing limits of the states must be increased. Adding to this, he also said that special package has been requested by West Bengal of 25 thousand crores to fight the coronavirus outbreak.

Speaking exclusively to NDTV on Left, Right and Centre, Kerala Health Minister KK Shailaja said that only nine cases were reported today in the state. Moreover, she added that strict surveillance and stringent action have been carried out across the state according to the lockdown guidelines by the Centre.