New Delhi|HL
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his television address to nation announces total lock down in India to save lives of citizens from deadly corona virus pandemic on Tuesday.
Modi warned that anyone going outside risked inviting the virus inside their homes.
From 12 midnight today, the entire country will go under a complete lockdown to save India and for every Indian, there will be a total ban on venturing out of your homes. Therefore, I request you to remain wherever you are in this country,” Modi added.
Only essential services will be operational. These include water, electricity, health services, fire services, groceries and municipal services.
All shops, commercial establishments, factories, workshops, offices, markets and places of worship will be closed and interstate buses and metros will be suspended. Construction activity will also be on a halt during this period.
Modi said if the outbreak was not dealt with properly it could set the country back decades.
“According to health experts, a minimum of 21 days is most crucial to break the cycle of infection. If we are not able to manage this pandemic in the next 21 days, the country and your family will be setback by 21 years. If we are not able to manage the next 21 days, then many families will be destroyed forever,” Modi said.
To soften the economic blow from the shutdown, the Indian government announced a number of measures on Tuesday.
