For resolve, restraint No more dining at restaurants; only takeaways

PM warns against complacency, urges a ‘janata curfew’ on March 22, says enough essential stocks available No commercial international flight can land in the country any more; some states suspend public transport

nNEW DELHI: In his first address to the nation after the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) globally and in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi acknowledged the challenge posed by a condition for which there is no cure or vaccine yet, stressed on the importance of self-isolation and social distancing, and reassured the country that his government was taking step to protect Indians’ health as well as livelihoods.

Modi said there was no room for complacency, appealed to citizens to display commitment and called for a “people’s curfew” on Sunday, March 22, where citizens would stay home as both a symbolic message of India’s determination and a test-case to prepare for future challenges. I want a few weeks of yours, he told the nation.

The curfew, the Prime Minister added, should be supplemented with a public expression of gratitude to those staffing essential services at 5pm on that day.

The speech came on a day India announced a ban on all commercial international flights into the country from March 22, effectively cutting itself off from the world; stricter work-from-home measures; and an appeal to the elderly and children to stay home.

The PM’S address combined an appraisal of the current situation and messages of reassurance,

NEWDELHI: The Delhi government on Thursday stepped up sweeping restrictions to prevent community spread of the new coronavirus disease (Covid-19) by prohibiting gatherings of more than 20 people and ordering the closure of all dine-in restaurants in the Capital till March 31.

“All restaurants in Delhi shall remain closed till March 31. Home delivery and takeaway of food will, however, continue since a lot of people depend on it,” Kejriwal said in a press briefing after a meeting with lieutenant governor Anil Baijal.

NEW DELHI: The Centre has directed all its departments and comapnies to get 50% of their middle and juniorrank officials to work from home and introduced staggered timings for the rest until April 4 in the wake of the outbreak.