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PM Narendra Modi addresses nation on coronavirus: Highlights

NEW DELHI: With the coronavirus epidemic spreading across the world, particularly in Europe and the US, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a televised address on Thursday urged all Indian citizens to observe a ' janata curfew ' on Sunday, ie March 22, to contain the outbreak.On March 22, Sunday, all citizens have been urged to stay indoors for 14 hours. Timings of the 'janata curfew' on Sunday are 7am to 9pm.'Janata curfew' or public curfew is meant to encourage people to practice social distancing, keep away from crowds and stay at home as much as possible in the coming weeks.Sunday's 'janata curfew' is on a trial basis, but Prime Minister Modi hinted that it could be extended later in case the outbreak spreads in India. The Prime Minister repeatedly emphasised the importance of practicing social isolation to keep yourself and those around you safe.The 'janata curfew' on Sunday is a self-imposed lockdown, meaning there will be no penal action. However, all citizens are urged to comply. The objective is to prepare people for a longer lockdown in case the need arises. The PM in his speech said there was no room for complacency while dealing with the crisis. "We have been tracking the trend of Covid-19 and have seen how the number of cases in other affected countries exploded after the initial trickle," he said, making it clear India should brace for the long haul.Those working in essential services such as healthcare, food and grocery supplies, media and news, etc will be exempt from the 'janata curfew'.At 5pm on Sunday, the day of the 'janata curfew', people have been asked to go to balconies or outside homes and clap, ring bells or bang steel plates as a mark of gratitude to those working round the clock to keep the country safe, among them doctors, nurses and other medical staff, airline employees, railway and bus staff, media and home delivery riders.