PM Modi announces nationwide total lockdown for 21 days to combat coronavirus

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the nationwide total lockdown will be in place for three weeks from 12 o’clock tonight.

“In view of the current situation, the nationwide total lockdown will be in place for 21 days — three weeks,” said Prime Minister Modi during his second address to the nation. “It is a kind of curfew,” he said.

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Addressing the nation on battling the COVID-19 menace. #IndiaFightsCorona https://t.co/jKyFMOQO5a

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 24, 2020

The Prime Minister said: “If we are not able to manage the upcoming 21 days (of nationwide complete lockdown), we will be pushed back 21 years.”

“Today India is at the stage where our actions today will decide to what extent we can bring down the impact of this disaster. This is the time to strengthen our resolve again and again,” he said.

“From 12 o’clock tonight there will be a complete lockdown across the country for 21 days,” said PM Modi.

He also hailed the people for the success of ‘Janata Curfew’ saying that they showed how Indians can come together and fight against any trouble which comes before the country.

“The one-day Janta Curfew showed how we Indians come together and fight against any trouble which comes before the country and the mankind,” he added.

LIVE UPDATES: 

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# Today India is at the stage where our actions today, will decide that to what extent we can bring down the impact of this disaster. This is the time to strengthen our resolve again and again: PM Narendra Modi

# No doubt, this lockdown will entail an economic cost for the entire nation. But saving the life of every Indian is the first priority for me, the Govt of India, the State Govts and the local administration: PM Modi

# From 12 pm midnight, there will be complete lockdown in the entire country. This will be akin to a curfew and will be implemented with full compliance: PM Modi

# If we want to stop the spread of Corona, we will have to break the cycle of infection. Some people are under the misconception that social distancing is only for people who’re suffering from COVID-19. This isn’t right: PM Modi

# For last 2 days, many parts of the country have been locked down. These initiatives of the State Govts have to be taken very seriously. Learning from experience of health experts and other countries, the nation is going to take an important decision today: PM Modi

# The result of a two-month study of these countries and experts’ opinion prove that social distancing is the only option to combat Corona: PM Modi

In his previous address to the nation on Thursday, the Prime Minister had urged people to follow a ‘Janta Curfew’ on Sunday which was, by and large, a success as citizens remained indoors.