Coronavirus: Rajinikanth, Kamal, Shah Rukh appeal for Janata curfew
Actor Rajinikanth on Saturday (March 3) appealed to the citizens of India to abide by the ‘Janata curfew’ which was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Rajinikanth said in a video statement on Twitter, “The virus can thrive outside a human body only for 12 to 14 hours. If we prevent the virus from spreading for those 14 hours, we can stop our country from entering stage-3 of the pandemic. This is why Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced this Janata curfew, so that people can be prevented from being infected.”
“The Italian government had enforced similar restrictions when they were in stage-2, but the people there neglected those instructions. This has resulted in the loss of so many lives.”
“The same scenario should not take place in India. So, I request people of all ages — youth, senior citizens, etc. — to follow this curfew,” he said.
The video was removed by Twitter a few hours later for violating Twitter rules.
Meanwhile, actor Kamal Haasan, in a similar request, said on Twitter, “I call upon my fans, my friends, and my people in support of the cause on 22nd March, Sunday, 7 am to 9 pm.”
I call upon my fans,my friends and my people in support of the cause on 22nd March Sunday, 7am to 9pm #JantaCurfew (2/2)@rajinikanth #Ajith @actorvijay @Suriya_offl #Vikram @dhanushkraja #Simbu @VijaySethuOffl #Ilayaraja, @anirudhofficial @gvprakash @GhibranOfficial @ThisIsDSP
— Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) March 20, 2020
He also put out a video on Twitter, asking people to remember that while they may have numerous concerns with regard to their work and family, they would have to be healthy first in order to be able to take care of other aspects of their lives.
— Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) March 21, 2020
— Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) March 21, 2020
He highlighted the importance of social distancing, and appealed to people to maintain distance with each other and not step out unless it was an emergency.
Actor Shahrukh Khan too put out a video message on Twitter, asking people to maintain hygiene at this crucial stage of the pandemic. He reminded people to help out other medical staff who are striving hard to curb the spread of the virus. He also pointed out basic ways to ensure proper hygiene, like washing hands at frequent intervals, covering your nose while sneezing, and so on.
We must all do our bit and support the officials doing so much for us. #WarAgainstVirus @mybmc pic.twitter.com/TDLpVhtr1F
— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) March 20, 2020
The ‘Janata curfew’ will be implemented on March 22 from 7 am to 9 pm, where people stay at their houses and do not step out unless it is an emergency.
As a gesture of thanks to all doctors, nurses, and other medical staff who have been working to curb the spread of the coronavirus, Modi said that people could express their gratitude towards these staff by standing at their balconies or doors and clapping hands or ringing their bells at 5 pm on March 22.