PM: Listen to docs, don’t violate home quarantine

Govt Collaborates With WhatsApp For Credible Info

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:22.03.2020

With reports of people leaving cities in droves by taking crowded trains because of the coronavirus scare, PM Narendra Modi on Saturday took to Twitter to put out a strong “ stay put” appeal saying that it would increase the risk of infections.

Modi also exhorted quarantined people to heed doctor’s advice not to venture out. He said: “I pray that the city you are in, please stay there for a few days. With this, all of us can stop the disease from spreading. We are playing with our health by crowding railway stations, bus stands. Please worry about yourself and your family, do not leave your house if it is not necessary.

He also asked those quarrantined to abide by the advice of doctors. Using the hashtag #IndiaFightsCorona and sharing videos on precautions that can be taken against the infection, he said on Twitter: “This is the time we should all listen to the advise given by doctors and authorities. All those who have been told to stay in home quarantine, I urge you to please follow the instructions. This will protect you as well as your friends and family.”

In line with his address to the nation on Thursday where he announced a voluntary 14-hour citizens’ “curfew”, the PM sought cooperation of people in staying home and avoiding unnecessary travel.

Also in a move to provide correct information and bust myths around the coronavirus, the PM announced the launch of a Government of India collaboration with messaging service WhatsApp for a ‘Corona Helpdesk’ which would help disseminate authentic information on Covid-19.

“Sharing correct information, avoiding incorrect panic. Here is an effort by WhatsApp and @mygovindia to ensure you receive accurate and verified information on Coronavirus. Please click on this link https://wa.me/919013151515?text=Hi…or send Hi on +919013151515,” the PM said on Twitter on Saturday.

Full report on www.toi.in

Establishments advised to blow sirens at 5pm

New Delhi: In view of Prime Minister’s appeal to countrymen to observe a14-hour ‘janata curfew’ on Sunday and applaud all those in the forefront of fighting Covid-19 at 5pm, Union home secretary Ajay Bhalla has written to chief secretaries and administrators of all states/Union Territories asking them to widely disseminate the PM’s message to the community at large. He also asked the state governments and UT administrations to advise urban local bodies, panchayati raj institutions, fire services, police services, civil defence and industrial establishments, etc. to ring a siren at 5pm for intimation of all citizens. TNN