‘Lockdowns Are Costly But Govt’s Hand Was Forced By Irresponsible Behaviour’

NEW DELHI: Lockdowns are costly and the longer the current lockdown lasts, the greater the impact on the GDP. Renowned economist Dr. Arvind Virmani said the government needs to seriously look at alternatives even though the lockdown has helped slow the spread of infection. On Talking Point with StratNews Global, he said the government could continue the ban on international travel until perhaps June. Rigorous implementation of Section 144 prohibiting the gathering of five or more people is another possibility. Dr. Virmani dismissed various mathematical models that suggest India’s infection spread is wider than acknowledged. He said it is best to go by the data being collected domestically. He warned that the sense of fear could have as bad an impact on the economy as the virus impact itself.