COVID-19: 50 entrepreneurs urge PM Modi to impose lockdowns

As a part of measures to combat the novel coronavirus outbreak, over 50 entrepreneurs appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to “impose lockdowns and Section 144 across key cities this week.”

A detailed slide Powerpoint presentation tweeted by Abhiraj Singh Bhal, the co-founder of Urban Company, popularly known as Urban Clap, on Tuesday(March 17) evening urged the prime minister to take decisive actions while pointing out that countries that had “acted early and strongly (South Korea, Singapore and Japan)” were able to control the outbreak as compared to those which “waited and watched (Iran, Italy and the United States)”.

Collaborated with @_mekin@vivekanandahr @1kunalbahl@kunalb11 @annamalai_k @alokmittal001 @varunjain42 and many other founders to prepare this doc, urging @PMOIndia to act now & decisively to curb COVID-19. Lots of references to @tomaspueyo's great work. https://t.co/T2VtWGQlKL

— Abhiraj Singh Bhal (@abhirajbhal) March 17, 2020

“The virus does not discriminate basis nationality – early, strong and decisive action is key to containment. Impose Section 144 and strict lockdown (citizens stay at home) across major cities for two weeks starting March 20, 2020,” wrote the group of venture capitalists and start-ups in their presentation.

“While containment efforts should continue, imposing a lockdown and Section 144 now, vs 30 days later, might reduce deaths by 5x (saving nearly 10,000 lives,” it added.

Related news: India in stage 2 of COVID-19, efforts on to curb community transmission: ICMR

The presentation which was created and endorsed by entrepreneurs, including Kunal Bahl of Snapdeal, Phanindra Sama of Red Bus and Rohan Verzma of MapmyIndia, acknowledged India’s efforts in containing the spread of COVID-19 by shutting malls, threatres and other public spaces which can gather large crowds.

It also stated that India had “started well with good containment efforts” and in encouraging people to work from home for social distancing.

The presentation also urged the Centre to ensure ample supply of essential commodities such as food, medicines and even money, and make sure that services such as public transportation is available. However, the entrepreneurs also warned of a need of imposing a second lockdown.

With major cities in the country going on a lockdown, the impact of the coronavirus can be drastic on the Indian economy.

This was sounded as a warning by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi who said there could be an “economic devastation” over the next six months.

Related news: Tsunami is coming: Rahul warns Centre of economic crisis amid COVID-19

The former party chief’s statement came in the backdrop of markets plunging to 10% and recording a bloodbath.

The COVID-19 is already taking a toll on the stock markets with the Sensex ending trade on Tuesday over 800 points down from the previous close which is also followed by the situations of Yes Bank and crude oil price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia.

Rahul Gandhi urged the Centre to start thinking long-term solutions to battle not just coronavirus but also the economic crisis since a “tsunami is waiting to come.”

The Indian Council of Medical Research on Tuesday said that the country is in stage 2 of the coronavirus where the COVID-19 spreads via local transmission. According to the Ministry of Health, there are more than 140 confirmed cases in the country.