Many not taking lockdown seriously, request states to enforce rules: Modi

A day after millions of people across the country observed Janata curfew, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (March 23) appealed to state governments to ensure that rules and regulations of the coronavirus lockdown are enforced as he noted that many people were not taking the security measure seriously.

Taking to Twitter the prime minister 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.”

लॉकडाउन को अभी भी कई लोग गंभीरता से नहीं ले रहे हैं। कृपया करके अपने आप को बचाएं, अपने परिवार को बचाएं, निर्देशों का गंभीरता से पालन करें। राज्य सरकारों से मेरा अनुरोध है कि वो नियमों और कानूनों का पालन करवाएं।

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 23, 2020

The Centre and state governments have decided to completely lock down 80 districts across the country where coronavirus cases have been reported. Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala announced lockdown in many of their districts over the past two days. Delhi will be locked down from 6 am on March 23 till the midnight of March 31.

The total number of COVID-19 cases in the country rose to 390 on Monday (March 23) after 30 fresh cases were reported, the Union Health Ministry said.

The figure includes 41 foreign nationals and the seven deaths reported so far, it said. Gujarat, Bihar and Maharahstra reported a death each on Sunday, while four fatalities were reported earlier from Karnataka, Delhi, Maharashtra and Punjab, the ministry said.

The total number of active COVID-19 cases across the country now stands at 359, while 24 people have been cured/discharged/migrated, it added.

(With inputs from agencies)