A good exit strategy from the lock down requires the identification of safe zones that can be expanded gradually. We& #39;ve been focusing so far on minimising the unsafe zones, but going forward we have to switch to a diff approach - expanding what& #39;s safe - to rebound.

In every city, the wards that are corona-free should be identified and movement restrictions within those (and if they are adjacent, within clusters of those) could easily be opened up, SUBJECT TO THE CONDITION THAT IF CASES ARISE, THEY WILL GO BACK INTO LOCK DOWN.

This condition is critically important for the continuing cooperation of citizens in following the norms for social distancing and hygiene. People should want to be in safe zones, and should be doing their part to keep the zones safe.

The exit, like the daily management, has to be steered by the states. The Centre can be supportive and lay out a canvas on top of what the states are doing (e.g. when the lock down of 80 districts was expanded to all), but with manpower & reach, it& #39;s the States that can execute.

To deal with this, the Centre shd give the states their money in a more timely way. With-holding the states& #39; share of joint funds is against the spirit of the finance commission& #39;s guidelines. Monies to be split between two entities cannot flow through one to the other.