PM Modi Asks Citizens To Impose Self-Curfew On Sunday To Fight Coronavirus

Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged Indians to take necessary precautions to fight the coronavirus pandemic, and impose a self curfew on Sunday.

Modi appealed to citizens today for their support to impose the self curfew from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on March 22. The citizen’s curfew will go towards proving our self-restraint and help in the future, he said.

The address to the nation comes at a time when India reported its fourth death due to the pandemic and 168 people have tested positive for the virus so far.

Modi said lakhs of people have been working tirelessly and selflessly for the last two months and have delivered essential services at the risk of exposing themselves to the pandemic. The Prime Minister urged Indians to stand at their doors and windows on Sunday at 5 p.m., and applaud those who have worked day and night for the last two months at the risk of exposing themselves to the virus.

He urged people to leave their houses only if it’s important, and stay in isolation otherwise. Those aged above 60-65 years shouldn’t go outside their homes for the next few weeks, he said.

The government is taking steps to ensure adequate supply of milk, food and essential supplies, he said, and appealed to the people to not hoard essential items.

“It’s important to make sure there is no burden on the country’s hospitals and healthcare system at these testing times,” Modi said. Citizens should avoid going to hospitals for routine check-up, and call a known doctor on the phone instead, he said.

Economic Task Force

The prime minister said that coronavirus has had a significant impact on India’s economy, and announced the creation of ‘Covid-19 Economic Response Task Force’ under Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for its revival.

The finance minister will meet Minister for Micro, Medium and Small Scale Enterprises Nitin Gadkari, Animal Husbandry Minister Giriraj Singh, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Hardeep Singh Puri and Tourism Minister Prahlad Singh Patel tomorrow to take feedback and assess the economic impact of coronavirus. Secretaries from each of these ministries and other relevant government departments will also be present.

“The task force will work towards resolving economic challenges and will take needed steps in that directions and ensure those challenges are resolved,” Modi said.

The outbreak has impacted small, medium business and people earning low incomes, and has severely hit their finances, he said.

“In this time of crisis, I appeal to all business leaders and others to keep in mind the financial interest of people providing services to them,” he said, urging them not to resort to salary cuts if they’re unable to report to work.

Watch | PM Modi’s Full Address To The Nation