PM Narendra Modi calls for Janta Curfew, urges people to stay indoors
NEW DELHI : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday made a fervent appeal to all Indians to stay indoors as much as possible to avoid getting infected by coronavirus, saying the world has never seen a danger as grave as this. He called for ‘Janta curfew’ on March 22 from 7 am-9 pm, saying no citizen, barring those in essential services, should get out of house.
“Even World War I and II did not affect as many countries as coronavirus has done,” Modi said in a national broadcast. Asking people to sacrifice “some weeks of yours, some time of yours”, Modi said given that coronavirus has no cure yet, the only way to stay safe is to stay indoors.
He urged people to stay home and leave only if necessary in the next few weeks.”Coronavirus has endangered humanity. It has affected more nations than the World War,” he said.
“I request all people in country to get out of house only when it is extremely necessary, try and do all work from home,” he said. “I am seeking one more support from every countryman today. This is a public curfew. Janta curfew means for the public, curfew imposed on the public by themselves. I request everyone to follow this from this Sunday, i.e. 22 March, 7 am till night 9 o’clock,” the PM said in his address to the nation.
“Under this Janata (public) curfew, no person should leave their home or gather in their society. Only those related to essential services need to go out,” said the Prime Minister, adding that all citizens must abide by this.
“On that day, at 5 pm, we will stand at our balconies, windows or doors for 5 minute, we will show our gratitude to those maintaining essential services by ringing bells, sounding sirens, clapping or clanging utensils,” he said. The Prime Minister suggested the one-day exercise would help inculcate a new discipline for social distancing for the next few weeks.
Coronavirus cases in India climbed to 173 on Thursday after 18 new cases were reported. Four people have died. PM Modi warned people against hoarding and panic buying. “I want to reassure that all steps are being taken to ensure that the supply of milk, medicines and food does not stop. Do not hoard, be sensitive towards the need of others,” he said.
