As India is observing Janata Curfew on Sunday, from 7 am to 9 pm in a bid to check the spread of novel Coronavirus, on the call of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he in his twitter message said,it will “add tremendous strength to the fight against COVID-19 menace. The steps we take now will help in the times to come. ”

He tweeted, “In a few minutes from now, the Janta Curfew commences. Let us all be a part of this curfew, which will add tremendous strength to the fight against COVID-19 menace. The steps we take now will help in the times to come. Stay indoors and stay healthy.  India Fights Corona”

In a few minutes from now, the #JantaCurfew commences.

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Let us all be a part of this curfew, which will add tremendous strength to the fight against COVID-19 menace. The steps we take now will help in the times to come.

Stay indoors and stay healthy. #IndiaFightsCorona pic.twitter.com/11HJsAWzVf

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 22, 2020

Earlier, on March 19, PM Modi in a televised address to the nation, announced ‘Janta Curfew’ in the entire country on March 22, from 7 am to 9 pm — a step to avoid public gatherings and to prevent the spread of the deadly novel coronavirus.

“Under Janata Curfew, no one should leave their home or gather in their neighbourhoods. Only those related to essential services should go out,” PM Modi urged.

“I request all people in the country to get out of the house only when it is extremely necessary, try and do all work from home,” he said.

As the ‘Janata curfew’ got underway at 7 am, people are largely keeping themselves indoor as part of the social distancing exercise to stop the spread of the virus and bare number of public transport vehicles plied on nearly empty roads.

All markets and establishments except those dealing in essential goods and services will be closed for the day. The ‘Janata Curfew’ will end at 9 pm.

The number of Covid-19 cases in India rose to 324, according to the Health Ministry. These cases include 296 active cases, 4 deaths and 23 people who have recovered from the virus .

Today, except for businesses and  public administration dealing in essential items and services, rest all will remain shut.  The public transport will be effected in a big way.  Railways said that no passenger train will originate from any railway station in the country from midnight to 10 pm on Sunday while all suburban train services will be reduced to a bare minimum as well. Metro services, including in Delhi, Hyderabad and Mumbai, will remain suspended for the day. Air carriers like GoAir, IndiGo and Vistara have announced that they will be curtailing domestic operations on Sunday.

Traders’ body Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has announced that they will keep their establishments shut across the country for the ‘Janata curfew’.

In Delhi, 50 per cent of the buses are plying on roads today for emergency travels. Autos and taxis are however, off roads in the national capital.