State can’t afford another lockdown, says CM

Expressing concern at the rising number of COVID-19 cases, Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy called for a concerted effort to control it so as to avoid another lockdown, which cost the State dearly last year. “COVID caused a staggering loss of ₹21,000 crore to the exchequer (in 2020). We cannot afford to go back to those days as the economy will suffer a devastating blow,” he observed, ordering that wide publicity be given to COVID prevention and management. On being informed that the existing stocks of COVID vaccine would be sufficient for only two days, Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy directed that an indent should be immediately placed with the Central government and enough number of doses procured at the earliest. The State has 3 lakh doses of the vaccine at present.