Underlining the grave threat posed by the coronavirus pandemic, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in an address to the nation on Thursday called upon all Indian citizens to follow what he called a “Janata Curfew” or “People’s Curfew” on March 22 from 7 am to 9 pm.
During this time period, the PM asked citizens not to leave their homes. He, however, added that only those associated with emergency and essential services will leave their homes.
“People’s curfew means a curfew imposed for the people, by the people, on the people themselves,” Modi said, adding, “22nd March will be a symbol of our effort, of our self-restraint, and our resolve to fulfil our duty in service of the nation.
The success of a people’s curfew on 22nd March, and the experience gained from it, will also prepare us for our upcoming challenges.”
Acknowledging the role played by people like medical staff, police, government servants, airline staff, media persons, bus/train/auto operators and those involved in providing home delivery, people who are in the forefront of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, the PM suggested that on March 22 at 5 PM, all citizens acknowledge and salute their efforts by standing in the balconies and at the doors of their houses and clap or ring bells for five minutes as a show of appreciation.
He urged the local government across the country to indicate the timing through blaring out a siren at 5 PM.
To deal with the economic challenges caused by the pandemic, Prime Minister announced the creation of ‘COVID-19 Economic Response Task Force’ under the Union Finance Minister.
The Task Force will consult stakeholders, take feedback, on the basis of which decisions will be taken to meet the challenges. The Task Force will also ensure the implementation of the decisions taken to meet these challenges.
Prime Minister also urged the business community and higher-income groups to look after the economic needs of those from lower-income groups, from whom they take various services, urging them not to cut their salary on the days they are unable to render the services due to inability to come to the workplace. He stressed on the importance of humanity during such times.
Assuring the citizen that there would not be any shortage of essential items like food, milk, medicine, the PM urged people to not resort to panic buying.
PM Modi said that some countries saw a sudden spike in the 3rd and 4th week of the Coronavirus. At the same time, there were some countries that were also successful in combating it.
Senior citizens above the age of 60 years have been advised to completely stay at home for the next few weeks.
The citizens have also been advised to postpone all non-essential surgeries to ease the burden on the health infrastructure of the country.