Janata Curfew | updates

Narendra Modi thanks people for staying indoors, says battle not over.

March 22, 2020 08:09 am | Updated March 28, 2020 03:14 pm IST

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and his family on their terrace.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and his family on their terrace.

The 'Janata Curfew' , proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to curb the spread of COVID-19 , kicked off on March 22, resulting in businesses being shut and transportation services being largely suspended across India.

In pictures: Deserted streets as India observes 'Janata Curfew'

PM Modi had proposed the ‘Janata Curfew’ on Sunday between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. as part of social distancing to check the spread of the deadly coronavirus.

Here are the latest updates:

 

6.40 pm | New Delhi

 

Janta Curfew is beginning of a long battle: Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the ‘Janta Curfew’ is the beginning of a long battle against coronavirus outbreak and the countrymen have proved that together they can defeat any challenge.

“Today’s Janta Curfew may end at 9.00 pm, but this does not mean we start celebrating,” he tweeted.

He said the self-imposed curfew should “not be considered as a success” as it is the “beginning of a long battle“.

“Janta Curfew is beginning of a long battle. Today countrymen have told that we are capable, and once we decide we can take on any challenge together,” he said.

 

 

6.20 pm | New Delhi

 

Lockdown in Delhi, says Kejriwal

Announcing lockdown in Delhi districts, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said "Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. We are fortunate that the virus has reached India late and we can learn from the measures taken by other countries to tackle the virus and learn from best practices."

Mr. Kejriwal said "So far we have 27 cases in Delhi out of which six are transmission cases. If we reach 1000 cases we will not be able to deal with it. That's why we have decided to order a lockdown from 6 am tomorrow till March 31, 2020."

The Delhi Chief Minister said "During the period of lockdown, there will be no public transport services. Only 25% of DTC will function."

Mr. Kejriwal further added that all shops, offices and markets will be shut. He said "Borders will be sealed and oOnly essential items will be allowed in Delhi."

The Delhi Chief Minister said "Interstate buses trains and metro services, flights are suspended."

Mr. Kejriwal finally said "Everybody is requested to stay in their homes. You can save yourself from coronavirus."

6.15 pm | Haryana

Haryana orders lockdown in 7 districts

Haryana government on Sunday announced lockdown in seven districts of the state, including Gurugram, till March 31 in the wake of the situation emerging out of the COVID-19 threat. No public transports services will be permitted during this period, however grocery and pharmacy shops remain open.

“Under Section 2 of the Epidemic Disease Act, 1897 and regulation made thereof, the Government of Haryana hereby notifies a lockdown in the territorial jurisdiction of revenue districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Sonipat, Panipat, Jhajjar, Rohtak and Panchkula from 9 p.m, on March 22 till March 31, 2020,” read the three-page order.

The order further said no public transport services including operation of taxis, auto- rickshaws would be permitted during this period. The exception will include transport of all kinds to and from hospitals, airports, railway station, bus terminals/ bus stands and for the purpose of essential services. All shops, commercial establishments, offices, factories, workshops and godowns etc. shall close their operations except for fifteen categories of essential services, including groceries, pharmacy, railways, media, electricity, postal services and petrol pumps.

The order directed all foreign returnees to remain under strict home quarantine for a period as decided by local Health Authorities. It said the people were required to stay at home and come out only for basic services during this period while strictly following social distancing guidelines issued earlier.

The order said that Haryana had two International Airports i.e. IGI Airport, New Delhi and Chandigarh International Airport in vicinity and there were more than 6,600 persons under the surveillance in Haryana. It further read that a majority of these returnees were from the revenue districts of Haryana namely Gurugram, Faridabad, Sonipat, Panipat, Jhajjar, Rohtak and Panchkula.

Haryana Chief Minister in his address to the state residents around 6 p.m. congratulated them on the success of “Janta Curfew” and made an appeal to them to continue it till 7 a.m. on Monday. He also informed the residents about the decision of the state government on the lockdown of seven districts.

-- Ashok Kumar

6.00 pm | New Delhi

PM Modi thanks people

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday thanked people for expressing their gratitude towards those at the forefront of fight against COVID-19 outbreak.

“The country thanked each person who led the fight against the corona virus. Many thanks to the countrymen,” Mr. Modi wrote on Twitter.

5.50 pm| Chennai

Deserted streets turn playground for children in Chennai

Deserted roads turn playground for children at Dr. Natesan Road, Triplicane on Janata curfew on Sunday in Chennai.

Deserted roads turn playground for children at Dr. Natesan Road, Triplicane on Janata curfew on Sunday in Chennai.

 

 

Visakhapatnam

An aerial view of Visakhapatnam

 

 

5.05 pm| Mumbai

People clap and clank utensils across the country.

People at their balconies clanking utensils and clapping at Kandivali, Mumbai

People at their balconies clanking utensils and clapping at Kandivali, Mumbai

People during thank giving initiative during janta curfew in East Delhi.

People during thanksgiving initiative during Janata curfew in East Delhi.

Citizens in Coimbatore clap and ring bells following the sound of a siren to appreciate the work of those leading the fight against the COVID-10 outbreak on Sunday

Citizens in Coimbatore clap and ring bells following the sound of a siren to appreciate the work of those leading the fight against the COVID-10 outbreak on Sunday.

 

5.00 pm | Chennai

Here is an aerial view of Chennai as the country observes Janata curfew.

4.00 pm | New Delhi

'Lockdown in 75 districts a natural progression of Janata curfew'

Addressing a press conference, Lav Agrawal, Junior Secretary, Health Ministry, said: "There's been an increase in the number of cases in the last few days. The 75 districts being locked down is a "natural and logical progression" of the Janta curfew.

Also read: Coronavirus live updates | Gujarat reports first death; 7 new cases in Punjab

To isolate those coming in from abroad is critical, said Balram Bhargava, ICMR chief. There have been very few deaths, he added.

 

3.20 pm | Uttar Pradesh

U.P. extends Janata curfew

The Janata curfew in Uttar Pradesh will be extended till early morning tomorrow, said Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

He has instructed police and administration to patrol the streets.

Addressing people from Gorakhpur, he also said people should be prepared for situations like janata curfew in the coming days as well.

- Omar Rashid

2.00 pm | Mumbai

Maintain Janata curfew till tomorrow, says Maharashtra CM

Maharashtra CM Udhhav Thackeray addressed a press conference on Sunday and urged people to maintain the Janata curfew till tomorrow. All cities in Maharashtra will have Section 144 implemented from March 22, he announced, adding, "We have to be more sensitive towards next days. We have entered in to critical stage now."

No gathering of more than 5 people will be allowed in urban areas of Maharashtra.

No international flights will arrive in Mumbai after tonight, he said.

The CM also announced that only 5% employees will be present in government offices across the State. The capacity allowed earlier was 25%. This will continue till March 31, said Mr. Thackeray.

 

1.00 pm | Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu extends 'Janata Curfew' till March 23, 5 a.m., Monday.

An aerial view of flights parked at Chennai Airport on Sunday.

An aerial view of flights parked at Chennai Airport on Sunday.

 

12.00 pm | Kerala

Church cancels mass for the first time since 1789

The Tangasseri Infant Jesus Cathedral in Kollam.

The Tangasseri Infant Jesus Cathedral in Kollam.

 

Since its inception in 1789, it was for the first time that a Sunday mass was cancelled at the Tangasseri Infant Jesus Cathedral in Kollam. The cathedral was kept closed following orders from Bishop Paul Mullassery, as the church supported the cancellation to fight the COVID-19 outbreak.

 

11.30 am | Patna

Mithapur bus stand in Patna remains shut

Buses parked at Mithapur bus stand during ' janta curfew' in Patna on Sunday.

Buses parked at Mithapur bus stand during ' janta curfew' in Patna on Sunday.

 

11.30 am | Delhi

Delhi police urge motorists to go back home

Deserted scene at Anand vihar Railway station during Janata Cerfew
All trains has been suspended.

Deserted scene at Anand vihar Railway station during Janata CerfewAll trains has been suspended.

 

Metro Trains parked at one of the Depot in New Delhi.

Metro Trains parked at one of the Depot in New Delhi.

 

The capital was in a total lockdown mode on Sunday morning with Delhiites adhering to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to observe the “Janata Curfew”. 

Metro services remained shut, no private taxis were available and only 50% of the DTCs bus fleet plied on the roads.

At busy junctions like ITO, Connaught Place and Mandi House, Delhi Police was seen handing over roses to motorists who had ventured out and asking them to go back home.  “I woke up to the sounds of the birds chirping, it is so different. This is a measure we are taking because of an extremely dangerous situation but it has given us time to pause and reflect on the smaller things in life,” said Uttara Seth, a resident of Jangpura.

11.00 am | Telangana

 

Khammam remains shut amid curfew

A busy road in khammam wears a deserted look during the  curfew on Sunday.

A busy road in khammam wears a deserted look during the curfew on Sunday.

 

People across Telangana remained indoors in response to the Janata curfew call given by the government.

In Khammam district, the whole gamut of operations including coal mining and overburden removal in all the 10 coal mines of the State owned Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) in Kothagudem region comes to a halt as the entire workforce observes 'Janata Curfew' joining hands in the fight against coronovirus's spread.

 

 

10.30 am | Karnataka

Minimal public transport in Karnataka

Mangaluru on March 22, 2020.

Mangaluru on March 22, 2020.

Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa has appealed to citizens to voluntarily participate in the ‘Janata Curfew’ on March 22.

 

10 am | Tamil Nadu

 

The usually busy 200 feet road in Nanganallur, Chennai, wears a deserted look on Sunday

The usually busy 200 feet road in Nanganallur, Chennai, wears a deserted look on Sunday

 

9 am | Kerala

Janata Curfew observed in Kerala

Ernakulam south railway station looks deserted at 6 a.m. on Sunday, a usually busy hour on a normal day.

Ernakulam south railway station looks deserted at 6 a.m. on Sunday, a usually busy hour on a normal day.

All shops and establishments have been completely closed in Kannur in an effort to reduce the spread of coronavirus. Photographed here is the Kannur Bus Stand.

All shops and establishments have been completely closed in Kannur in an effort to reduce the spread of coronavirus. Photographed here is the Kannur Bus Stand.

In Kochi's St Mary's Basilica, the Sunday mass was held with only priests present for possibly the first time in its history. The mass was livestreamed for the believers.

 

 

8.40 am | Madhya Pradesh

People stay indoors, shops closed in MP

People in Madhya Pradesh remained indoors and streets wore a deserted look on Sunday in view of the ‘Janta Curfew’.

Roadside shops and eateries also remained closed in the State.

Four districts — Jabalpur, Rewa, Seoni and Narsinghpur — have already been placed under lockdown since Saturday.

- PTI

8.15 am | India

Stay indoors and stay healthy, tweets PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 22 requested people to join the  ‘Janata Curfew’  to make the fight against  COVID-19  a success.

People seeking a lift from taxis and cars exiting the T3 airport in Delhi on Sunday, during Janata Curfew.

People seeking a lift from taxis and cars exiting the T3 airport in Delhi on Sunday, during Janata Curfew.

 

“In a few minutes from now, the #JantaCurfew commences. Let us all be a part of this curfew, which will add tremendous strength to the fight against COVID-19 menace,” the Prime Minister wrote on Twitter.

 

8 am | Mumbai

Mumbaikars stay indoors as ‘Janata curfew’ commences

The city that never sleeps on Sunday woke up to empty roads and deserted public places as the ‘Janata curfew’ proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to counter the coronavirus spread began.

The usually bustling western and eastern express highways and other arterial roads looked empty as people stayed in their homes to support the curfew.

Same was the situation at the suburban train stations which normally see thousands of commuters jostling to get inside the overcrowded trains.

State government authorities had on Saturday informed people that only those engaged in essential services would be allowed to travel in local trains, that too after checking their identity papers.

Public transport is being curtailed in the city on Sunday. Local trains on the Central line will see 60% services as against the normal 70% on Sundays. The Western Railway has cancelled four services, two from Virar to Dahanu Road, and two from Dahanu Road to Dadar and Churchgate.

The Central Railway has cancelled 60 long distance trains across Mumbai division, while the Western Railway has cancelled 40 mail express and 26 passenger trains from Mumbai.

It has also cancelled 477 suburban locals on Sunday.

The Mumbai Metro and Mumbai Monorail will remain suspended for the day, while BEST buses will run according to their holiday schedule, officials said.

Late on Saturday evening, the Divisional Commissioner of Konkan Region declared that the police and State government staff will be present at all stations to ensure that people do not travel unnecessarily and only those engaged in essential services will allowed on local trains.

- PTI

7.30 am | Tamil Nadu

 

How Tamil Nadu reacted to Janata Curfew

Goubert Market wears a deserted look during the 'Janata Curfew' in Puducherry on Sunday.

Goubert Market wears a deserted look during the 'Janata Curfew' in Puducherry on Sunday.

A police personnel insist that the shop owner close the shop in T.V. Kovil in Tiruchi on Sunday.

A police personnel insist that the shop owner close the shop in T.V. Kovil in Tiruchi on Sunday.

 

Gandhipuram Town bus stand in Coimbatore looks empty

Gandhipuram Town bus stand in Coimbatore looks empty

 

Mumbai

 

Sirens unlikely to sound PM’s battle cry today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s plea to citizens of the country to clap or ring bells following the sound of a siren to appreciate the work of those leading the fight against the COVID-10 outbreak on Sunday may come a cropper in the financial capital.

The State government may not be able to set off sirens in most places in the city because for the past one year it has been sitting on a proposal from the Director General of Civil Defence to overhaul its war-time emergency public siren system. As a result, only 15 to 20 of the 170 sirens atop government buildings will work at 5 p.m. on Sunday. Similar sirens atop government buildings in Nashik, Pune, Thane and Raigad are not in working condition and may not go off on time, officials said.

 

 

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