“Janata Curfew”: Let’s break the chain- Stay safe, Stay indoor

March 22: Saturday appeared to be a very crucial in the Indian context as the country recorded its biggest one day jump to 79 confirmed cases of coronavirus infection. In India, now we have a total number of 315 positive cases of COVID-19. Out of the 315 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in India, 287 were active, whereas 23 were recovered cases. A total of 5 persons died in India till 21 March, 2020. It is in this backdrop that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a clarion call of “Janata Curfew” to be observed on Sunday from 7 AM to 9 PM.As we wake up today, India as a nation will have to take a pledge of social isolation, which is the best way to break the chain of the deadly coronavirus. In an address to the nation on Thursday evening, PM Modi said, “March 22 will be a symbol of our effort, of our self-restraint, and our resolve to fulfil our duty in service of the nation. The success of a people’s curfew on 22 March, and the experience gained from it, will also prepare us for our upcoming challenges.”

From rapidly changing geopolitics to the threats of a global recession, the Covid-19 outbreak has roiled the world’s economy and brought it to a standstill. “This people’s curfew will in a way be a litmus test for us, for our nation. This is also the time to see and test how prepared India is for fighting off a Corona-like global pandemic,” Modi said.

Explaining what he expects from his countrymen on 22 March, Modi said, “During this curfew, we shall neither leave our homes, nor get onto the streets or roam about our localities. Only those associated with emergency and essential services will leave their homes.”

Catch phrases such as ‘social distancing’ and ‘community transmission’ became a part of the lexicon amid concerns about an impending explosion in the number of Covid-19 cases in India. “Complacency will be our undoing,” Modi said ahead of appealing to the nation to strictly adhere to “social distancing.”

The Covid-19 pandemic has engulfed 159 countries infecting more than 3,04,785 people and claiming more than 12,977 lives. Cutting across party lines, Chief Ministers and other top leaders have shown support to Prime Minister’s call, noting that “social distancing” was key to breaking the chain of infection.

way2barak joins the nation in observing “Janata Curfew”, a day to mark ‘social distancing.’ Let’s take a pledge. Let’s break the chain of the deadly COVID-19. Stay safe, stay indoor.