New Delhi: With the mission fight coronavirus and break the chain of infection, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his second address to the nation on the pandemic, announced a complete lockdown in the whole country from midnight. During his first address, PM Modi called for a “Janata Curfew” on Sunday, a 14-hour self-quarantine to fight the spread of coronavirus which has infected over 500 people in India and has killed 9 people. He said,
Janta Curfew was made successful by each indian citizes. They have exhibited that when it comes to national security, we are one. You all need to be admired for the success of Junta Curfew.
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He further said that social distancing in the only option to combat coronavirus. That is to remain apart from each other. To ensure that each citizen of the country follow the social distancing, the PM while announcing the lockdown said,
From 12 midnight, entire country will go under complete lockdown. The lockdown will be for 21 days — three weeks. This lockdown is in a way a curfew and would be more stringent than the Janata curfew. To break the chain of spread, 21 days of lockdown is absolutely necessary. If we don’t manage these 21 days, the country will be set back by 21 years. Some families will be destroyed forever.
However, he reassured the citizens that the essential services will be running fine and efforts will be made by the government to continue the supply of necessities.
Another major announcement made by the PM during his address is the allocation of Rs 15,000 crore for treatment of coronavirus and for strengthening the public health scenario in the country. He said,
We may have to pay a financial cost for this lockdown but it is important for the safety of people. Be it Italy or the US, they have the best healthcare. Despite that these countries couldn’t stop the impact. We need to strengthen our public health system.
He said that the sum of Rs. 15,000 crore will be used in improving testing facilities related to coronavirus, increasing the number of personal protective equipment, isolation beds, ICU (Intensive Care Unit) beds and ventilators. The number of other necessary equipment will be increased rapidly, he said.
While concluding his address, PM Modi said that except social distancing, there is no other way to remain safe from corona. He urged everyone to contribute in breaking the chain of infection by staying at home. He also asked every citizen to pray for those doctors, nurses, ambulance drivers, media person, policemen and sanitation workers, who are taking risks to save life of others. He also asked people to refrain from believing any kind of rumours and superstition and only follow the instruction of medical experts and government advisories.
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