Another strict lockdown can be meaningful only with a plan to
curb infections in Chennai
The Tamil Nadu government’s decision to impose a complete lockdown in Chennai
and parts of neighbouring Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram and Thiruvallur
for 12 days from June 19 is a response to rising apprehension that the
coronavirus pandemic has spun out of control. When such a measure was
resorted to earlier, for four days from April 26, the cumulative cases
in the State were 1,821, but they have snowballed to just over 46,500
cases on June 15. Mortality has also risen in spite of many curbs from the earlier lockdown
being retained during the ‘Unlock 1’ phase, such as the absence of bus
transport. The AIADMK government has done well to learn some lessons
from the previous full lockdown episode, which led to crowding for the
purchase of essentials — it has allowed three days for the city and
neighbouring districts to prepare. Yet, it is the preventable ballooning
of cases that has necessitated a fresh lockdown now, highlighting the
desultory approaches to infection prevention. With some determination,
and steps such as free distribution of masks, the public could have been
nudged into healthy behaviour. But such leadership was absent, and
rising case numbers led to pressure for another strict lockdown,
including from some retail traders. The State government appeared to be
confused, initially denying any such plan and even informing the High
Court to that effect.
The national experience with a lockdown
makes it clear that it is a blunt weapon, useful only for a brief
period, and to support a clear plan of action. Some studies point to
heightened impact of an activity freeze on the urban poor, who have to
cope with such pressures by liquidating their savings, and may be worse
off than their rural counterparts. In Chennai, the pressure due to the
lockdown has been prolonged, although the State has tried to ameliorate
the impact with free supply of essentials. It has now promised ₹1,000 to
ration card holders, and the disabled. But the effects of a full
lockdown run deeper, and relief measures for the disadvantaged must be
augmented. Now that some air and rail services are on, passengers with
tickets must be helped to use these facilities. There is also a case to
allow door delivery of all materials by e-commerce sites, barring in
containment zones. Tamil Nadu’s latest measure seems to have caught some
sections of industry, such as the automotive sector that depends on a
stable supply chain, by surprise. The economy today is complex and a
more transparent and consultative approach is necessary to plan for the
future. During the full lockdown phase, the government must cohere to
make up for lost time: distribute masks to all, bring about compliance
in mask-wearing and physical distancing, help densely populated areas,
and make testing universally available.
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