I am available 24x7 for suggestions on COVID-19: PM Modi to CMs

New Delhi : Wearing a homemade mask, PM Narendra Modi on Saturday addressed a video conference with the Chief Ministers of different states to discuss the current situation of COVID-19 and possible measures to fight against it, focusing mainly on whether the lockdown should be extended or not.

"I am available 24x7. Any chief minister can speak to me and give suggestions (on COVID-19) anytime. We should stand together shoulder-to-shoulder," PM Modi said.

With more than 1000 cases in last 24 hours, the total tally of cases in India has crossed 7400-mark. 239 people have died of coronavirus.

This was the third time when PM Modi held a video conference with the CMs to discuss measures on coronavirus preventions.

Meanwhile, Odisha and Punjab have already extended lockdown in the states till April 31. The Centre is yet to take a call on the decision.

The Central government is trying to find a balanced route between life and livelihood as lockdown will leave thousands of the people jobless.

Ahead of the meeting, the West Bengal government decided to impose a total lockdown in 10 Covid-19 hotspots and clusters from where positive cases have been reported.

Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram had urged chief ministers to demand cash transfer to families of the poor who have been hit hard by the lockdown.