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The PM said there has been a coordinated response to the coronavirus outbreak | PTI File

PM Modi hails Twitterati for COVID-19 fight, but not all convinced

PM Narendra Modi on Monday took to Twitter to respond to users who highlighted the steps taken to combat the coronavirus. He said the encouragement from people highlighting steps being taken to combat COVID-19 is boosting the morale of the medical staff and others involved in containing the spread.

The Federal
16 March 2020 6:32 PM IST  (Updated:2020-03-16 13:02:42)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (March 16) took to Twitter to respond to users who highlighted the steps being taken to combat the coronavirus pandemic that has already claimed two lives in the country.

In a series of tweets with the hashtag #IndiaFightCorona, the prime minister said the encouragement from people highlighting steps being taken to combat COVID-19 is boosting the morale of the medical staff and others involved in containing the spread.

“Many people are highlighting different aspects of how India is combating COVID-19. This is certainly boosting the morale of all those doctors, nurses, municipal workers, airport staff and all other remarkable people at the forefront of fighting COVID-19,” said Modi.

He also said there has been a coordinated response to the coronavirus outbreak and asserted “no stone is being left unturned” to ensure people are healthy.

Responding to a tweet by a man saying that he has “cancelled all my meetings and suspended all business travel”, the prime minister said, “A wise call. Avoiding non-essential travel and minimising social outings are welcome steps.”

“At all levels, various authorities are working in sync to ensure COVID-19 does not spread. No stone is being left unturned to ensure people are healthy,” Modi said. He said responsible citizens can add great strength to the fight against COVID-19.

“I am sure our citizens will not do anything that puts the lives of others in danger. Our doctors, nurses, healthcare workers are putting great efforts. They are out there, helping people. We will always cherish their contribution,” the prime minister said.

Responding to a Twitter user who said the government is systematically handling travellers to avoid “corona contagion”, Modi said, “Doing our best to ensure everyone is healthy and those showing symptoms get proper care.”

It is a united and coordinated response from everyone and this shows the strong spirit of the nation in such situations, said Modi.

A day earlier, the prime minister held a video conference with the SAARC nations on the issue of the pandemic, during which he said “India started screening entry into the country from mid-January itself, while also gradually increasing restrictions on travel.”

A section of Twitter users, meanwhile, claimed this was a lie and shared their experiences on the microblogging website. An user claimed there was no screening at the airport when he arrived in Mumbai from Lisbon on February 16.

Saket Gokhale, a rights activist, claimed thermal screening and checks at airports began only two weeks ago. “Thermal screening & checks at airports began only 2 weeks ago. Travel restrictions came in 48 hours ago. Is Modi claiming that not a single case was detected between mid-January & March? The blatant lies of this man show that Covid-19 cases in India are going to be hushed up,” he said in tweet.

On January 21, the civil aviation ministry had directed thermal screening of passengers from China and Hong Kong at seven airports in India — at Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Kochi and Hyderabad.

(With inputs from agencies)

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