Calling for “resolve and restraint” to fight coronavirus, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday made nine requests to India for the nine days of Navratri.

In a nearly 30-minute national broadcast, he asked people to stay indoors and work from home as much as possible while underscoring the dangers of coronavirus, saying the world has never seen a crisis as grave as this.

“Even World War I and II did not affect as many countries as coronavirus has done,” Modi said, asking people to avoid this mindset that the disease will not affect India much when it has hit hard many developed countries.

The biggest highlight of the PM’s address on coronavirus was the Janta Curfew on March 22.

HERE ARE 9 REQUESTS PM MODI HAS MADE TO INDIA IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CORONAVIRUS:

1. Every Indian should remain alert and aware. Don’t step out unless absolutely necessary.

“I appeal to you that for the next few weeks, step out of your homes only if absolutely necessary. As far as possible, try and do all your work, whether related to business or job, from home,” PM Modi said.

2. Those between 60-65 years old should stay inside their homes.

PM Modi asked the senior citizens, the group most vulnerable to coronavirus to stay inside their homes. “Senior citizens, those above 60-65 years of age, should not leave their homes over the next few weeks,” Modi said.

3. Follow Janta curfew from 7 am to 9 pm on March 22.

PM Modi called for ‘Janta curfew’ on March 22 from 7 am-9 pm, saying no citizen, barring those in essential services, should get out of their house, and asserted that it will be a litmus test to show how much India is ready to take on the challenge of the coronavirus pandemic. This experience will serve the nation well, he added.


“This Sunday, that is on 22 March, all citizens must follow this curfew from 7 am until 9 pm. During this curfew, we shall neither leave our homes, nor get onto the streets and refrain from roaming about in our societies or areas. Only those associated with emergency and essential services may leave their homes,” he said.

4. Thank service providers by clapping for five minutes at 5 pm on March 22.

Lauding the hard work of medical professionals, sanitation staff, airline crews, delivery persons and media personnel among others, Modi asked people to express gratitude to them by giving them a five-minute standing ovation at 5 pm on Sunday by clapping hands, beating plates or ringing out bells.

5. Avoid going to hospitals for routine check-ups. Postpone elective surgeries.

Asking citizens to not unduly burden the country’s healthcare system, PM Modi said, “I request the countrymen to avoid visiting hospitals for routine check-ups. If you have an appointment for any non-essential surgery, please postpone for one month. We should keep in mind that pressure should not come to hospitals.”

6. Ask Finance Minister to take all necessary action under Economic Response Task Force.

“Keeping in mind the economic challenges arising out of the Corona epidemic, the government led by the Finance Minister has a decided to constitute a Covid-19-Economic Response Task Force. The task force will remain in regular touch with all stakeholders, take their feedback and make decisions accordingly,” PM Modi said.

7. Appeal business, high-income groups to not cut salaries of their employees.

PM Modi also urged economically well-to-do people to be considerate towards their employees and domestic help. “Please take care of their health and do not deduct their salaries for this duration as they also need money to keep their families safe and buy medicines,” the PM said.

8. Citizens should not indulge in hoarding, panic buying.

Amid incidents of people resorting to hoarding food items in panic, Modi said “panic-buying” must be avoided and essential things, including medicines, should not be hoarded, adding his government is working to ensure their supply.

9. Don’t believe rumours or unverified news.

The prime minister began his address by highlighting the scale of coronavirus’ impact and noted that there is a view that India has averted the crisis and all is well.

“This mindset is not correct. Complacency in respect of a global pandemic like coronavirus is not appropriate. It is essential that each and every Indian remains alert and cautious,” he said and asked a few weeks from the countrymen. “It is essential to keep two key factors in mind in order to combat this pandemic: resolve and restraint,” he said.

He asked people to follow the directives of central and state governments to combat coronavirus.

It is critical that in this global pandemic, humanity emerges victorious

COURTESY: India Today