On Saturday, the total confirmed Covid-19 cases in India climbed to 332. (Rep photo: PTI)

The country will observe an unprecedented shutdown from 7 am till 9 pm on Sunday following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's pitch for social distancing in form of Janata Curfew, where the citizens have been urged to stay indoors in an attempt to contain the spread of coronavirus.

As part of the Janata Curfew, the public transport will be suspended or curtailed and all markets and establishments except those dealing in essential goods and services will be closed on the day.

On Saturday, the total confirmed Covid-19 cases in India climbed to 332 as more cases were reported from various parts of the country including Kerala, West Bengal and other states.

Cutting across party lines, chief ministers and others leaders urged the people to follow the self-imposed Janata Curfew from 7 am to 9 pm, noting that "social distancing" was key to breaking the chain of transmission.

As the numbers crossed 300 in the country, states like Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan and Bihar announced partial lockdown till month end, allowing only essential services to run.

NO PASSENGER TRAIN, METRO SERVICES ON SUNDAY

In view of the Janata Curfew, 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, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said 50 per cent of the buses will ply on roads on Sunday considering some people may have to travel due to an emergency.

Autos and taxis will be off roads in Delhi as several unions including the Delhi Autorickshaw Sangh, Delhi Pradesh Taxi Union, Delhi Auto Taxi Transport Congress Union and Delhi Taxi Tourist Transport Association, have decided to join the 'Janata Curfew'.

The health ministry said on Saturday that the total number of coronavirus positive cases stood at 283, with 60 fresh cases reported, the highest in a day so far.

WILL LOCKDOWN DELHI IF NEEDED: KEJRIWAL

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Saturday that the state government had not imposed a lockdown in the city for now, but would have to do if the need arises in wake of the coronavirus pandemic. In Delhi, 26 confirmed coronavirus cases have been reported so far.

During his first-ever digital-only press conference, Arvind Kejriwal said restrictions due to Covid-19 were causing a terrible financial stress to the poor.

He announced that those receiving ration from fair-price shops would get 50 per cent extra for next month, and also doubled the pension for widows, differently-abled and elderly for this month.

The government has also reduced the size of social, religious and political gatherings to not more than five persons. It has not imposed a lockdown in Delhi for now, but will have to do it if the need arises, Arvind Kejriwal said.

RAJASTHAN GOVT ORDERS LOCKDOWN IN STATE TILL MAR 31

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Saturday directed a "complete lockdown" in the state, except for essential services, till March 31.

There will be a "complete lockdown", barring essential and medical services, in the state from March 22-March 31 to contain the spread of novel coronavirus and keep people safe, Ashok Gehlot said in a statement.

PARTIAL LOCKDOWN IN AHMEDABAD, SURAT, VADODARA, RAJKOT

Shops selling non-essential items will remain closed in the state's four largest cities till March 25, while government offices will operate at half strength on rotational basis till March 29, the Gujarat government announced on Saturday.

The decision to partially lockdown four cities -- Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara and Rajkot - was taken at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.

In Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara and Rajkot, shops and malls selling non-essential items will remain shut till Wednesday.

A day before the nationwide Janata Curfew, the Odisha government announced a "near-total" shutdown on Saturday in five districts and eight prominent towns for eight days to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus.

The districts that would observe the near-total lockdown were Khurda, Ganjam, Cuttack, Kendrapara and Angul, while the towns were Puri, Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Balasore, Rourkela, Bhadrak, Jajpur Road and Jajpur, he added.

The Goa government imposed section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) across the state to prohibit large gatherings. Private events, including weddings, have also been banned in Goa till further orders.

The Bihar government ordered shutting down of bus services, restaurants and banquet halls across the state till March.

In West Bengal, the Mamata Banerjee government ordered all restaurants, bars, pubs, nightclubs, amusement parks, museums and zoos to remain shut till March 31.

The order, which aims to prevent all non-essential social gatherings, comes into effect on Sunday morning. The directive also applies to massage parlours and hookah bars, an official said, adding that strict action would be taken in case of any violation.

COUPLE, WITH HOME ISOLATION STAMPS, DEBOARDED FROM RAJDHANI

A couple was deboarded from a Delhi-bound Rajdhani train after co-passengers noticed a home quarantine seal on the husband's hand. The Railways urged people to avoid non-essential travel for the safety of fellow citizens.

(With PTI inputs)