COVID-19: PM Modi Chairs Review, To Address Nation Tonight
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi took stock of the situation developing out of the COVID-19 outbreak. PM Modi is scheduled to address the nation on Thursday at 8 PM.
PM Shri @narendramodi will address the nation on 19th March 2020 at 8 PM, during which he will talk about issues relating to COVID-19 and the efforts to combat it.
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) March 18, 2020
The total number of COVID-19 cases rose to 172 with two more confirmed instances from Maharashtra, according to media reports. Of these, 16 people have been discharged so far.
No Community Transmission
In some heart-warming news, the ICMR has stated that all the 829 samples of the second batch have also returned negative suggesting that there is no community transmission. At this point in time, India continues to be in stage II of COVID-19 or the local transmission stage.
The Maharashtra government announced on Wednesday that it would cut down the number of buses and trains by 50%. The government has also issued directions state or no standing passengers should be allowed in buses. The state government authorities are trying to ensure that social distinction is observed in mass transport modes.
In Karnataka, the government has ordered the stamping of all international passengers with indelible ink indicating the last day of their home quarantine.
Section 144 has been imposed in NOIDA on the outskirts of the national capital as also in Rajasthan.
Authorities have announced that all exams including CBSE and university exams have been put off till March 31. In states across the country including Delhi, Rajasthan, UP, Maharashtra, Karnataka Telangana and Kerala, among others, educational institutions have been shut down.
The Health Ministry has advised all citizens to avoid non-essential travel.