India Under Complete Lockdown for 21 Days from Midnight, Confirms PM

New Delhi, March 24, 2020:

As coronavirus or COVID-19 cases continue to surge across India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his second address to the nation within a week, has announced a complete lockdown across the country to contain the outbreak of the virus from midnight onwards. The Centre has also allocated Rs 15,000 for the healthcare sector and added that the concern of the State Departments should be healthcare alone.

Modi, in his address, said that if we do not maintain social distancing for 21 days, the entire nation will be pushed back 21 years due to a rampant spread of the COVID-19.

Modi further added that as per the conclusions drawn from the two-month study of all the affected countries that the only option for effective combat against Corona is – Social Distancing, which is said is for every member of the family.

ALSO READ: Manipur: ‘Government in Exile’ Opposes Titular King’s Joining of Indian Politics

Every state in the country, every district, every village, every town and every street-locality is now being locked down, the PM said, and added that 21 days is very important to break the corona cycle. The PM also urged people to draw a "Lakshman Rekha" in front of their houses.

The PM also called upon the citizens not to spread rumours about the disease and called upon the private sector to stand with the employees.

"First it (coronavirus) took 67 days to get one lakh people infected and then it reaching 2 lakh people only took 11 days. It’s even more frightening that from two lakh infected people to three lakh people, this disease took just four days to reach",Modi said.

At the same time, Modi urged the people to think about the servicemen and wonen who are involved in "essential" services. "I request you with folded hands to think and pray about those who are providing services while putting their lives on the line", he said.

Now, only the essential shops such as grocery stores, chemist stores, petrol pumps, ATMs, gas agencies will be open. Even vegetable and meat stalls shall be closed down. In places of worship, more than 3 people will not be allowed at the same time. Public transport will also be halted. Moreover, people will also not be able to visit any neighboring states.

Tokyo Olympics Postponed by a Year:

Meanwhile, Japanese President Shinzo Abe has confirmed that the Tokyo Olympics shall be postponed by a year as the entire world community battles with the spread of the coronavirus.

Support Inside Northeast (InsideNE), an independent media platform that focuses on Citizen-centric stories from Northeast India that are surprising, inspiring, cinematic and emotionally relevant.

Readers like you make Inside Northeast’s work possible.

To support our brand of fearless and investigative journalism, support us HERE.

Download:

The Inside Northeast app HERE for News, Views, and Reviews from Northeast India.

Do keep following us for news on-the-go. We deliver the Northeast.