Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared a three-week nationwide lockdown starting midnight Tuesday, explaining that it was the only way of breaking the Covid-19 infection cycle. This essentially extended the lockdown from most states and Union Territories to the entire country and provided a more definite timeline. “Social distancing is the only way to break the cycle of infection,” he said.
All other lockdown conditions, such as the availability of essential commodities, remain the same, the government clarified.
In his second address to the nation on the Covid-19 outbreak, Modi told people to stay inside their homes for 21 days, warning that if they didn’t do so the country would be set back 21 years and families would be destroyed. His last address was on the outbreak was on March 19.
“This is like a curfew, and far stricter than the ‘Janata Curfew’ (on March 22),” the PM said. “Seeing the present conditions, this lockdown will be for 21 days. This is to save India, save each citizen and save your family. Do not step outside your house. For 21 days, forget what is stepping outside. There is a Lakshman Rekha on your doorstep. Even one step outside your house will bring the coronavirus inside your house.”
All government and private offices will remain closed, with the exception of those involved in essential services.
Corporate India welcomed the lockdown. “These are tough decisions, but they need to be taken to ensure that we can fight Covid-19,” Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran told ET NOW.
The latest move came as the Centre felt the need for uniformity across all states and invoked powers under the National Disaster Management Act, 2005, to enforce the countrywide lockdown.
Positive cases in Kerala and Maharashtra, whichlead in the number of infections, roseto 95 and 89, respectively.
The PM said: “Jaan hai to jahan hai.”
Modi conceded that these are tough times for the poor and said 21 days was a long time, but the coronavirus “spreads like fire”. He cited WHO data on the accelerating pace of the outbreak — it took 67 days to reach 100,000 infections, and another 11days to reach 200,000, but just four days to hit 300,000, he said.
The PM warned social distancing was a must for all, even for those without symptoms.
“I have asked states that first priority should be health care. I am satisfied that our private sector is also standing with country — both private hospitals and labs,” he said. “Also, don’t listen to rumours as they spread fast. Save yourself from superstition and do not take any medicine without a doctor’s advice. Your mistake can put your life in more danger.”
Lockdown measures already in force across the country began to be strictly implemented on Tuesday, with about 350 cases registered in Uttar Pradesh so far, 232 in Punjab and 112 in Mumbai against violators. Delhi Police also cleared the 100-day-old Shaheen Bagh protest site in Delhi after strict instructionstoenforce the lockdown were issued.
Reasons behind central government’s decision on a nationwide lockdown
1. The COVID-19 epidemic has affected many countries and the World Health Organisation has declared it ‘Pandemic’.
3. The situation has been continuously reviewed at the level of Hon’ble Prime Minister. The Hon’ble Prime Minister has addressed the Nation on the need for preventive measures and has also held meeting with all the Chief Ministers through video conference.
4. Experts, keeping in view the global experiences of countries which have been successful in containing the spread of COVID-19 unlike some others where thousands of people died, have recommended that effective measures for social distancing should be taken to contain the spread of this pandemic.
Source: ET