PM Modi asks nation to follow 'Janata Curfew' from 7am-9pm on March 22 to curb COVID-19 spread

As the Coronavirus-infected cases increase in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation at 8 pm on Thursday. The PM is expected to talk about issues relating to COVID-19 and the efforts to combat the pandemic that has claimed more than 9,000 lives across the world.

The Prime Minister had also chaired a high-level meeting on March 18 to review the ongoing efforts to contain COVID-19, besides discussing the ways to further strengthen India’s preparedness to deal with the issue. The Centre has taken several steps to curb the pandemic within the country. It has issued guidelines, advisories and taken several precautions to fight the deadly virus.

Here are the highlights of PM Modi's address to the nation:

19 March 2020

20:49 PM IST

PM Modi gives 9 call to actions this Navratri in his address to the nation:

1) Every Indian should be vigilant. Avoid stepping out of your homes until it is absolutely essential.

2) Those over the age of 60 should remain inside their homes only. 

3) Dutifully observe Janata Curfew on Sunday, 22nd March 2020 from 7 AM to 9 PM.

4) At 5 PM on 22nd March 2020, the day of the Janata Curfew, from your homes, express gratitude to those working round the clock to keep India healthy (such as doctors, nurses, paramedics, municipal staff, armed forces, airport staff)

5) Avoid going to hospitals for routine check-ups. If there are surgeries that can be postponed, kindly do so,

6) Formation of COVID-19 Economic Response Task Force under the leadership of the Finance Minister to comprehensively look at ways to boost the economy.

7) Do not cut the wages of those working in your homes, support staff and drivers, gardeners. 

8) Do not indulge in panic buying. India has enough food and ration supplies.

9) Stay away from rumours.

20:32 PM IST

To deal with coronavirus, no definite solution has been found, nor has any vaccine produced: PM Modi

20:30 PM IST

We have to priortise our strength to cope with this global epidemic: PM Modi

20:30 PM IST

PM Modi: I appeal to all not to go into panic buying to store essential commodities. Steps being taken to ensure that there is no scarcity of essential commodities.

20:29 PM IST

I request people to avoid going to hospitals for routine check-up to ease pressure on medical staff: PM Modi

20:29 PM IST

I request people to avoid going to hospitals for routine check-up to ease pressure on medical staff: PM Modi

20:28 PM IST

Keeping in mind economic challenges arising out of coronavirus, govt has decided to form COVID-19 Economic Response Task Force: PM Modi

20:28 PM IST

A task force will also be constituted to take decisions to suggest measures for countrymen: PM Modi

20:23 PM IST

PM Modi also appealed to private sector institutions to be sympathetic to their employees and not deduct their salaries as they have to cope with the situation.

20:22 PM IST

If possible, please call at least 10 people every day and tell them about the 'Janata Curfew' as well as the measures to prevent COVID-19: PM Modi

20:16 PM IST

On March 22, we should express our gratitude to people who are involved serving the affected people at 5 pm from our balconies: PM Modi

20:16 PM IST

Resolve and patience key in combating coronavirus: PM Narendra Modi

20:15 PM IST

I also want another favour which is implementing 'janata curfew'--for the people and by the people. On March 22 from 7 am to 9 pm they have to follow it: PM Modi

20:14 PM IST

I request all people in country to get out of house only when it is extremely necessary, try and do all work from home: PM Modi

20:12 PM IST

All senior citizens in our family should not get out of houses: PM Modi

20:12 PM IST

In some parts of the world there a blast of this disease has been witnesed. Some countries have managed to control the situation by isloating their citizens: PM Modi

20:10 PM IST

It seems all is well but this mindset is not right amid global COVID-19 spread. Today I ask 130 crore citizens to give me your valuable time for the coming two weeks: PM Modi

20:04 PM IST

We need to take an oath that we will not be infected and also save others too: PM Modi

19:50 PM IST

This crisis has engulfed the entire human race. For the past two months, we have been watching with concern the news about coronavirus spreading across the world: PM Modi.

19:48 PM IST

Earlier, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had said "very fast" movement was being made on PM Modi's proposals put forward during a SAARC nations' video-conference on coronavirus, with the emergency fund to combat the pandemic in the region already operationalised.
The SAARC nations vowed on March 15 to jointly combat the coronavirus as PM Modi proposed an emergency fund with an initial offer of USD 10 million from India.

19:48 PM IST

The PM is expected to talk about issues relating to COVID-19 and the efforts to combat the pandemic that has claimed more than 9,000 lives across the world.

19:47 PM IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation at 8 pm on Thursday amid the rise in Coronavirus-infected cases in India.