In a 30 minutes address, the nation’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured the people that the Government of India is keeping a close vigil on the spread of the coronavirus.
He added that the number of people affected by the outbreak has increased significantly in many countries, and since science has not been able to provide any solution to the virus nor have been able to find a vaccine to it, to think that this pandemic will not affect India is wrong. The PM urged the people to ensure their own safety since there is no cure available to the virus yet.
The PM requested to follow the ‘Janta Curfew’ on March 22, Sunday. During this period, everyone has been requested not to come out of their homes from 7 am till 9 pm as a fight against the novel coronavirus. Except for those who are involved in providing essential services, such as hospitals, media, airports, etc.
Also, the PM urged the following:
1. Social distancing is critical and useful. Step out of their house only if absolutely necessary.
2. Senior Citizens, above 60-65 years, do not come out of the house for the next couple of weeks.
3. The PM urged the citizens to express their gratitude to the people who have worked for others without worrying about themselves, on Sunday, at 5 pm by standing on the doors, balconies, for 5 minutes and clap or even ring a bell.
4. Avoid going to hospitals for routine checkups so that the hospitals do not get unnecessarily pressured. Speak to the doctors on the phone only if it is absolutely essential.
5. Any person having a date for elective surgery, try to postpone it if it is not urgent.
6. As the virus is also impacting the nation’s economy, a Covid-19 economic recovery task force will be formed under Finance Minister N. Sitharaman to take steps to minimize the impact of Covid-19 on the economy.
7. Do not hoard commodities and avoid panic buying as the government is taking measures to ensure that the supply of essential commodities like milk, medicine, and food won’t be impacted.
Coronavirus has infected more than 2 lakhs of people and killed more than 8 thousand across the world. Of these, India has reported four deaths and more than 180 cases so far.
(Internet inputs)