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PM Modi’s address on coronavirus full speech: Highlighting the importance of social distancing, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a special ‘janata curfew‘ on March 22 between 7 am and 9 pm, wherein people have to restrict themselves to their homes on Sunday.
Urging masses to place their trust in him, he asked Indians to provide the government with “a couple of weeks time” to tackle the contagious coronavirus. “We can only defeat this pandemic with patience and determination. The Indian government is tracking the Covid-19 outbreak very closely,” he said.
Modi said a special task force has been constituted and appealed to people to ensure social distancing during these times of crisis. His address comes as the total number of cases has swelled to 173, including 19 who have recovered and four deaths.
The Covid-19 special economic task force under the leadership of Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will be in touch with stakeholders to take future decisions. “The task force will look at comprehensive ways to boost the economy and revive it from the impact of the pandemic,” he added.
Earlier, on Sunday, PM Modi had held a SAARC leaders summit via video conferencing to discuss the way forward and proposed the creation of a Covid-19 emergency fund, for which he committed “an initial offer of US$ 10 million”.
On the spread of the pandemic, Modi said, “The world is passing through a huge crisis, more countries affected than World War 1 and 2. In times of war, there used to be blackout at nights and major surveillance in several places. Hence, today, I want to ask every Indian to ensure janata curfew. On March 22, every Indian should ensure that they restrict themselves to their homes from 7 am to 9 pm, stay away from the streets, and not gather in large groups. People involved in essential services like doctors, healthcare workers are the only exception to this. I urge state governments that they cooperate with the Centre to make sure that this becomes effective.”
Warning every Indian to be vigilant, the Prime Minister urged people to avoid stepping out of their homes unless it is absolutely essential, especially for those above the age of 60. “I request all people in the country to get out of the house, only when it is extremely necessary, try and do all work from home,” he said.
Expressing his gratitude to all those at the forefront of combating the virus, including state governments, the medical fraternity, paramedical staff, armed and paramilitary forces, and aviation and municipal staff, PM Modi asked people join in to thank those who work round the clock on Sunday at 5 pm.
“During times of crisis, we should not put paramedic staff and hospitals under pressure. Please do not visit hospitals for small illnesses, unless extreme emergency. You can contact your family doctors, if required and even when it comes to surgeries, please try and postpone it for a month,” he said.
After the announcement of the economic response task force, the Prime Minister also appealed to higher income groups to not cut salaries of daily wage earners like those working in homs, support staff, drivers and gardeners. He asked them to be given leaves, especially during these trying times.
“I appeal to the higher sections of the society to please take care of middle and lower-income groups or daily wage labourers. Please do not cut their wages, as much as possible, as they have to run their families and combat this virus,” Modi said.
PM Modi assured that all necessary and essential goods will always be available in markets and condemned “panic buying”, urging people to not stock up on good unnecessarily. “These are trying times, times of crisis which the world is witnessing. Countries are also unable to help each other, but with time, it will pass. Stay away from rumours.”
With “Hum bhi bache, desh ko bhi bachaye (let us save ourselves and our country), PM appeals Indians to ensure social distancing, restrict themselves on March 22 and follow janata curfew to fight the pandemic.
