In our earlier story on the partial lockdown in India, we knew this was coming. Yesterday evening in a televised address to the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a complete lockdown in India for 21 days.
The COVID-19 toll has reached 17000 worldwide. Many countries have announced lockdown across borders and within the country to prevent further spread of the disease. Learning from European countries like Italy, Spain, show that the healthcare system is unable to cope up with the huge number of cases in Stage 3 (community spread) of Coronavirus. Medical experts advice self-isolation and staying indoors as the best way to prevent the infection from spreading to a large number of people.
The Prime Minister said, “To save India, to save its every citizen, you, your family… every street, every neighborhood is being put under lockdown.”
The world is looking at India, as we are the world’s second most populous country. And the fact that we are a democracy and not an authoritarian country like China makes things more difficult for us as citizens are used to their freedom. But with the country responding maturely to Sunday’s Junta Curfew, the government has ordered the complete lockdown. Also, there has been a good amount of awareness amongst people.
With India having already reached the 500 mark of positive cases, the government has acted decisively and in time to prevent things from being further aggravated. Health researchers have warned that more than a million people in India could be infected with the coronavirus by mid-May,
COVID-19 has claimed 11 lives in the country with authorities reporting one death each in Delhi–the second in the national capital–and Maharashtra.
Essential Services will continue to function
According to six-page guidelines released by the Ministry of Home Affairs, fair price shops and those dealing with food, groceries, pharmacies, fruits, vegetables, dairy, ATMs, will remain open. The guidelines also stipulated that making a false claim to get any relief during lockdown may result in imprisonment for up to two years.
Financial services: Banks, insurance offices and ATMs.
Media: Print and electronic media
Communications: Telecommunications, internet services, broadcasting and cable services. IT and IT-enabled services only essential services – work from home as much as possible
Delivery of all essential goods including food, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment through e-commerce
Petrol pumps, LPG and petroleum and gas retail and storage outlets
Walmart Inc’s Flipkart has suspended services, a notice on the e-commerce firm’s website said on Wednesday, as India began a 21-day lockdown to fight the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
Flipkart’s move came after rival Amazon India said on Tuesday it will halt orders for non-essential products in India to prioritize customers’ critical needs, and focus on supplying essentials.