Appeal to people to stay away from rumours on coronavirus: PM Modi

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday asked people to stay away from rumours regarding coronavirus and emphasised on the need to follow the advice of doctors in this regard. He also asked people to avoid handshakes and start greeting others with 'namaste' once again.

"In such times rumours circulate very rapidly. Some say don't eat this, don't do that. Some people will bring in new things such as eat this to keep coronavirus away. It is my request to all my fellow countrymen, kindly keep away from these kinds of rumours," he said. "Whatever you do, kindly do it on the advice of your doctor. Let's not become doctors ourselves," the Prime Minister added.

The entire world is taking up the habit of 'namaste', Modi said. If due to some reason we have discontinued this habit, it is the right time to once again take this up instead of handshakes, Modi said.

He was interacting with owners of some Jan Aushadhi Kendras and beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojna (PMBJP) through video conference on the occasion of Jan Aushadhi Diwas.

"Jan Aushadhi Diwas is not only a day about celebrating a scheme, but it is a day to join with crores of Indians, lakhs of families who have got major relief through this scheme," Modi said.

It is also a day to reach out to other people to popularise this scheme so that poorest of the poor of the country can also avail the benefits, he added.

Talking about the impact of the PMBJP initiative, he said every month, over one crore families are getting benefits of cheap medicines from these Jan Aushadhi Kendras. Over 6,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras across the country have helped people save between Rs 2,000-2,500 crore, he added.

Meanwhile, “In addition, 108 samples have been received from Iran on Saturday morning. These samples are being tested at the laboratory in AIIMS. Also, six scientists from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) have been stationed in Iran. Equipment and reagents, worth approximately Rs.10 crores have been dispatched to enable them to setup a lab there,” the Health Ministry statement said.

Total of 7,26,122 from 7,108 flights have been screened at airports. Between Friday morning and Saturday, total of 73,766 passengers from 573 flights have undergone screening at airports.