Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that the entire country will be in complete lockdown for 21 days from 12 am tonight to fight coronavirus.
Addressing the nation, the Prime Minister said India will bear the financial consequences of the lockdown. But to save the lives of every Indian is my biggest priority, he said.
You cannot step out of your house from 12 am onwards today, the PM said.
He said, “Some people are mistaken that social distancing is only for the patients. That’s wrong. Social distancing is for everyone, for everyone in the family. Social distancing is even for the Prime Minister”.
Coronavirus is spreading so rapidly that despite all preparedness, challenges continue to rise in certain countries, he added.
Social distancing is the only option to fight against coronavirus, the PM stressed.
Some people’s irresponsible actions will put India in grave danger, he said.
Some people are mistaken that social distancing is only for the patients. That’s wrong. Social distancing is for everyone, for everyone in the family. Social distancing is even for the Prime Minister, he said.
More than 500 coronavirus cases have been reported in India so far, according to Health Ministry data on Tuesday, with Modi saying it is imperative to keep the “fighting spirit” of the people up while tackling the spread of the virus.
As 32 states and Union Territories imposed complete lockdown till March 31, the Centre asked them to clamp curfew wherever necessary in the wake of people defying lockdown orders.