Modi announces ‘Janata Curfew’ on 22 March, urges for resolve, restraint to fight coronavirus

Modi announces ‘Janata Curfew’ on 22 March, urges for resolve, restraint to fight coronavirus

In address to nation, PM Modi pushes for social distancing, says govt will set up COVID-19 task force to handle economic challenges.

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi sought to calm nerves and urged Indians to remain indoors as much as possible as he addressed the nation on how it could battle the coronavirus pandemic.

The prime minister, in a televised address to the nation, announced a ‘Janata Curfew’ from 7 am to 9 pm Sunday, 22 March, to stop the spread of coronavirus that has already claimed four lives in the country and infected at least 169 others.

“Under ‘Janata Curfew’ no one will go out of their houses. It will also prepare us for the forthcoming days,” said PM Modi, hinting that such isolation drives could be essential in future to stop the spread of COVID19.

Modi said the world is passing through a “grave” situation which is worse than any World War. According to Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), India is still in phase 2 of disease transmission, which involves only local transmission.

The government, he said, will constitute a COVID-19 task force headed by the Union finance minister to handle the economic challenges arising from the spread of the virus and the resultant impact on various sectors of the economy.

Modi also stressed on the need to avoid panic buying and assured that the government was taking all steps to ensure that supply of essential commodities was not disrupted.

The Janata Curfew

The PM said people should not step out of their homes Sunday, except for those working in essential services like healthcare, security or media.

He added that the day would act as symbol of “our self-control” and the experience will prepare the country for coming challenges.

Modi also appealed to state governments and civil society organizations to ensure that people are made aware of the ‘Janata Curfew’.

He added that at 5 pm Sunday, state administrations will ring a siren that will signal people to come out to their doorsteps or windows to express gratitude to those who have been working in the frontlines during this health crisis.

“For the last two months, lakhs of people at airports, hospitals, cleaning staff, media and transport sector have been putting themselves at risk for others” he said.

“India is grateful to them, and citizens should express their gratitude to these people on Sunday.”

He appealed citizen to do this by clapping or ringing bells for five minutes at their doorsteps on March 22.