New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said “The priority of the government is to save each and every life. The situation in the country is akin to a ‘social emergency’, it has necessitated tough decisions and we must continue to remain vigilant”.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted in video conference on Wednesday with all party leaders. In the conference, Modi suggested that the lockdown to check the spread of Covid- 19 will be extended and restrictions will not be lifted in one go after April 14. He also said amid a spurt in COVID-19 infections in the country. PM Modi told to the all party leaders in his video conference, he would consult with Chief Ministers but by all accounts the lifting of the lockdown “is not possible”.

Modi said that “Life will not be the same again after Covid- 19, adding that there would be pre-corona and post-corona” for times to come. “Massive behavioral, social and personal changes will have to take place,” he said. “We can see that the world has changed so much compared to pre-World War 2 and post-World War 2. Similarly, pre-corona and post-corona is going to change the entire world and we will have to think according to the change” he added. Many states and experts have requested an extension, given the rapid spread of virus cases and warnings that the infection could peak in the coming weeks.

The number of Covid- 19 cases in the country has climbed to 5,194, including 149 deaths. PM Modi met with floor leaders of parties whose combined strength in the two houses of parliament add up to five MPs or more. Congress’s Ghulam Nabi Azad, Trinamool Congress leader Sudip Bandyopadhyay and Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut were among those who joined the video-conference.