Reducing Covid risks may help economy more than easing curbs: World Bank

Global institution uses daily electricity consumption and night-time light intensity to gauge impact of Covid-19

The data on monthly night-time light intensity suggests that without effectively reducing the risk of a Covid-19 infection, India's economy is unlikely to return to full potential even when restrictions are relaxed, according to a recent World Bank report. 

The World Bank advocated using two proxies--daily electricity consumption and night-time light intensity--to gauge the economic impact of Covid 19 and the containment measures. 

According to the Bank, night-time light intensity declined by an average if 12 per cent in April in more than two thirds of the districts. Local infection rates have an impact on night-time light intensity, with more cases resulting