Modi announces total lockdown of 1.3 billion people for three weeks, the world’s most extensive stay-at-home order yet
New Delhi, March 24 (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced a complete lockdown across the country for 21 days from Tuesday midnight, asserting that social distancing is the only way out for the country in its decisive battle against the coronavirus.
In his second address to the nation on the pandemic raging across much of the world with the number of infections rising in India, Modi made a fervent appeal to the countrymen not to cross the 'lakshman rekha' of their homes in the next three weeks.
Any negligence in these 21 days will "push the country and your families by 21 years", he said underlining the massive danger the coronavirus poses.
The experience of countries, which have been able to contain the virus to some extent and experts' views have made it clear that social distancing caused by a lockdown is the only way to break the cycle of the infection, he said.
This is the only ray of light, he asserted.
"To save India, to save every Indian, there will be a complete ban on people from stepping outside their houses from 12 midnight today," he said.
"Lockdown is being imposed on every state, union territory, district, village, mohalla and street," he added.
The lockdown will be like "curfew" and more stringent than the 'janata curfew', which the country had observed on Sunday, he said, adding it will have an economic cost but saving people's lives is of the paramount interest to his government.
A lockdown in most of the country was already in place till March 31, and Modi's announcement extended it everywhere and for two more weeks after this month.
Modi folded his hands a few times to emphasise his request to citizens to adhere to his call, saying it is applicable to everyone from the prime minister to a citizen in a village.
Even countries like Italy, France and the US with world class infrastructure have been left helpless due to the spread of the disease despite their relentless efforts, he said, emphasising the gravity of the situation.
Some people suffer from this wrong mindset that only infected persons need to follow social distancing, he said, warning that such a view can endanger lives of others and their families.
INR 15,000 cr to combat Covid-19
Underlining that health services should be the only priority of state governments at this time, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the Centre has made a provision of INR 15,000 crore to strengthen the country's health infrastructure to tackle coronavirus.
Modi informed that the availability of testing facilities related to Covid-19, personal protective equipment, isolation beds, ICU beds, ventilators and other necessary tools are being increased rapidly.
The Centre has made a provision of INR 15,000 crore for strengthening country's health infrastructure for the treatment of coronavirus-infected patients, the prime minister said.
Modi said he has requested the state governments that their only priority at this time should be health services.
He also suggested people to stay away from superstitions, rumours and everyone must follow only credible medical advice.
No need to panic; essential commodities will be available
Allaying fears, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said people need not panic about availability of essential commodities and medicines during the 21-day nationwide lockdown as the Centre and various state governments will work together to ensure this.
"Together, we will fight Covid-19 and create a healthier India," he said.
"My fellow citizens, there is absolutely no need to panic," Modi tweeted soon after his address to the nation in which he announced the 21-day lockdown starting Tuesday midnight.
"Essential commodities, medicines etc. would be available. Centre and various state governments will work in close coordination to ensure this," he said.
Rio welcomes Modi’s move
Dimapur, March 24 (EMN): Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has lauded the 21-day lockdown of India announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday.
“I welcome the decision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for India lockdown. This decisive action against Covid-19 will break the cycle of infection. I urge every citizen of India to co-operate so that we can win the fight against coronavirus,” he wrote on Twitter.
Rio also thanked Modi for the health package. “Grateful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for announcing INR 15,000 crore package for Covid-19, which is the need of the hour to acquire medical equipments, protective gears and increase training of medical and paramedical staff, testing facilities etc.,” he said in another tweet.