PM to address nation at 8 pm today on coronavirus outbreak

Amid the increasing cases of coronavirus in the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will once again address the nation at 8 pm on Tuesday (March 24) to brief citizens on the situation.

Taking to Twitter, he said, “Will address the nation at 8 PM today, 24th March 2020, on vital aspects relating to the menace of COVID-19.” He had addressed the nation on efforts to combat the virus on March 19.

In his last address on the virus outbreak, Modi had called for “resolve and restraint” to fight the disease. He had also announced setting up of a task force, to be headed by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, to look at measures to limit economic hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Modi has been interacting with various stakeholders on ways to check the spread of the virus. On Wednesday, he will interact with people of Varanasi, his Lok Sabha constituency, on the pandemic.

Nearly 500 coronavirus cases have been reported in India so far, according to Health Ministry data on Tuesday.

As cases of the viral infection surged, authorities have put almost the entire country under lockdown, banning gathering of people and suspending road, rail and air traffic till March 31.

Taking note of many not taking the lockdown seriously, the prime minister on March 23 appealed to state governments to ensure that rules and regulations of the coronavirus lockdown are enforced.

Modi said, “Many people are still not taking the lockdown seriously. Please save yourself, save your family, follow the instructions seriously. I request state governments to ensure rules and laws are followed.”