Coronavirus: PM Modi to address nation at 8 pm today
What's the story
As the coronavirus crisis is deepening, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation at 8 pm today to talk about serious issues, he informed in a tweet.
This will be his second address in less than a week, hinting towards the gravity of the pandemic.
The last time he spoke to India, he asked people to follow Janata curfew on Sunday.
Context
10 have died in India, over 500 infected
COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, has claimed ten lives in India and infected 511.
30 states and Union Territories have gone under complete lockdown to contain the spread of the virus and promote social distancing.
In Punjab and Maharashtra, a curfew was imposed yesterday, with state Chief Ministers Captain Amarinder Singh and Uddhav Thackeray lamenting that people weren't taking restrictions seriously.
Restrictions
Train and fight services have been suspended
Sweeping restrictions have been imposed across India, including the suspension of trains, a first in decades. Starting midnight, no domestic flights will operate too, and all airlines have been asked to plan operations in a way that aircraft reach their destinations before 2359 hours today.
Most of the public transport has been suspended and some state borders sealed as well.
Looking back
PM Modi spoke with media professionals and business tycoons
On Monday, PM Modi spoke with chiefs of several media houses and urged them to spread awareness about social distancing. He is learned to have appreciated the efforts of frontline health workers too.
He also held a video-conferencing meeting with several industrialists and told them the government understands the financial crunch this pandemic is putting on their companies.
Letter
Separately, Sonia Gandhi wrote to PM Modi over the crisis
To note, Congress interim chief Sonia Gandhi wrote to PM Modi urging him to give financial aid to construction workers, who faced the heat.
"I request you to consider advising the State Building and Other Construction Worker's Welfare Boards to roll out emergency welfare measures, particularity wage support to construction workers," she said, adding that several countries, like Canada, announced relief measures.
Twitter Post
You can read the letter here
Congress Interim President Sonia Gandhi writes to PM Modi on COVID-19. The letter states, "I request you to consider advising the State BuildingOther Construction Worker's Welfare Boards to roll out emergency welfare measures, particularity wage support to construction workers." pic.twitter.com/CdE1d4NXCz
— ANI (@ANI) March 24, 2020