“Step outside the ‘Lakshman rekha’ of your house in the next 21 days and you will set the country back by 21 years,” – PM Narendra Modi
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the country announcing a complete three-week-long lockdown to stop the spread of the highly transmissible pandemic: COVID-19. The complete lockdown began at midnight of 24.03.2020 and will last for 21 days. Speaking about the absolute necessity of stopping the transmission of the virus, the PM forwarned the country of unimaginable consequences if stringent social distancing is not practised.
“The only way we save ourselves from coronavirus is if we don’t cross boundaries of our home” – PM Narendra Modi
The PM requested the citizens to stay indoors. He assured the country of maintaining the supply of essential commodities and increasing the supply of testing facilities, personal protective equipments, isolation beds, ICU beds, ventilators, and the number of other necessary tools for treating COVID-19. Prime Minister Narendra Modi apprised the country of the amount of Rs.15,000 Crore allocated for the development of the health infrastructure to fight COVID-19.
Addressing the economic repercussions, the PM stated that the priority remains saving lives.
“No doubt this lockdown will entail an economic cost for the country but saving the life of each and every Indian is the first priority for me… therefore, I request you to remain wherever you are in this country”– PM Narendra Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, elaborating on the duration of the lockdown, stated that according to health experts, 21 days are required to break the infection cycle.
The guidelines issued for the lockdown released by the Ministry of Home Affairs can be found here. Further, the helpline numbers for COVID-19 of states and union territories can be found here.
