After Janta Curfew, Prime Minister Narenndra Modi today gave a clarion call to the citizens of the country not to cross the Lakhman Rekha of their doorsteps for next 21-day to prevent the nation from destruction due to coronavirus.
Modi declared 21-day national lockdown, beginning midnight of the intervening night between the March 24 and March 25, to prevent devastation of the country due to novel Coronavirus.
Sharing a creative poster, which read “Koi Road Pe Na Nikle”, Modi said the country is at a very difficult stage where the virus has the potential of creating a havoc quickly.
Modi said USA and Italy, which are well known for world-class healthcare facilities, also have failed to prevent the spread of the virus. “Therefore, it becomes very necessary for the people to take care of their health and adhere to the lockdown call of the government,” he said.
He also mentioned about those countries, which have come out of the virus scare, and are working towards gaining control over it.
Modi said he not addressing them merely as the prime minister, but as a family member, and urged the nation, not to cross the Lakshman Rekha for next 21 days, because the only way to fight the virus is to break its cycle of transmission.
“No citizen should cross the Lakshman Rekha. If you venture out you will bring the virus into the house. AS per health experts, it takes 21 days to break the cycle,” he said quoting the health experts.
Modi said it took 68 days for the first one lakh people to get infected and another 11 days to infect another one lakh. Thereafter, it took four days to infect the next one lakh people, he added.
Already some districts across the country have already declared lockdown. Interstate public transport and metro railways have already been suspended till the March 31.
Modi said 21 days are necessary for breaking cycle of Coronavirus transmission.
Rs 15,000 Crore Fund Announcement
He also announced Rs 15,000 crore fund for testing facilities for the Wuhan Coronavirus, PPEs, ICU, ventilators and training medical workers.
He also said all steps are being taken to ensure the continuous supply of essential commodities across the country.
Meanwhile, India Inc has assured to help government at the time difficulty.
The production of masks, ventilators and other medical equipment has been ramped up to ensure that doctors at the forefront of the war against the Wuhan Coronavirus are adequately prepared for the same.
Modi said today’s action will determine how India can minimize the crisis. “It is time to show patience at every step. This is the time for courage and discipline,” he said.
Essential Services
Ration shops will remain open during the lockdown and one member per family will be allowed to go out for essentials.
The list of essential services remains unchanged since the March 22 Janta Curfew.
“My fellow citizens, there is absolutely no need to panic. Essential commodities, medicines etc. would be available. Centre and various state governments will work in close coordination to ensure this,” he said.
Earlier in the day, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced various statutory and regulatory compliance relief measures amid lockdown in some districts of the country to control the spread of the virus.
