Indian Shuts Down For 21 Days To Fight Coronavirus; List Of Essential Services Which Are Open

In a historical decision, PM Modi announced that India will be locking down itself for 21 days, in order to fight the massive outbreak of coronavirus.

Starting night 12 of March 25th, entire India has been asked to remain at home, and stop all activities. 

This is a major decision, since total number of positive coronavirus cases has crossed 500 in India, and the new cases are doubling every 2-3 days. India has reported 10 deaths, and the numbers are increasing.

During his speech, PM Modi stressed on the fact that India needs to take this hard pill, since the virus is spreading at an unprecedented rate, and we will need to do everything possible to stop its spread.

He said, “If we don’t handle these 21 days well, then our country, your family will go backwards by 21 years.”

PM Modi also announced that Rs 15,000 crore has been allocated to fight the coronavirus outbreak, and strict action will be taken against those who violate it.

Later Home Minister Amit Shah announced that there is no need to panic, as all essentials products and services will be kept on. 

List Of Essentials Which Will Be Made Available

• All Govt offices will be closed down, except Defence, central armed police forces, treasury, public utilities (including petroleum, CNG, LPG, PNG), disaster management, power generation and transmission units, post offices, National Informatics Centre, Early Warning Agencies.

• Water supply, sanitation services will be kept on

• All hospitals and medical equipment, chemist shops will be open

• Grocery shops, vegetable shops, dairy will be opened, although rest all commercial shops will be closed down. Home delivery of products can be arranged by respective states.

• All banks will be open, so will the stock exchange, insurance offices

• Print and electronic media office will be open

• Manufacturing of essential goods will be open

• All transportation will be closed, but the movement of essential products/services and medical staff will be open

Govt has made it clear that any person violating these rules is liable to proceeded against under Section 51-60 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, besides legal action under Section 188 of the IPC (as per appendix). 

Here is the full list of exceptions and the services which have been banned under the lockdown, till April 15th, 2020.