'Fight Coronavirus, Don't Waste Time': Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi to PM Narendra Modi

A day after two fresh cases of coronavirus was reported in India, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday termed coronavirus ‘extremely’ serious threat to the people of country. Taking to Twitter, Gandhi wrote: “The Corona Virus is an extremely serious threat to our people and our economy. My sense is the government is not taking this threat seriously. Timely action is critical (sic).”

In an apparent reference to PM Modi, the Congress leader said, “There are moments in the life of every nation when its leaders are tested. A true leader would be completely focused on averting the massive crisis about to be unleashed by the virus on India and its economy.”

In another Tweet, while attacking PM Modi, he wrote: "Don't waste time playing clown with social media accounts, deal with coronavirus."

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a high-profile meeting to review the inter-departmental preparedness to combat coronavirus outbreak in India. The Prime Minister took to Twitter to appeal for calm. “There is no need to panic. We need to work together, take small yet important measures to ensure self-protection,” PM Modi tweeted along with a set of preventive measures.

Talking about the key meet, PM Modi said that, “had an extensive review regarding preparedness on the COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus. Different ministries & states are working together, from screening people arriving in India to providing prompt medical attention.” Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is also scheduled to hold an emergency meet later in the day.

The COVID-19 scare has also forced two Noida schools to declare holiday. There are also reports of some individuals being quarantined in Agra. According to latest reports, the Delhi man, who was tested positive for coronavirus on Monday, had previously travelled to Agra. “The Delhi man returned from Europe with two of his Agra-based relatives on February 26. His relatives were put in isolation after he was found positive for COVID-19 yesterday,” UP Health Minister Jay Pratap Singh told news agency ANI. However, six cases with high viral load have been detected during sample testing in Agra. This means that doctors are sure about viral infection but not about COVID-19.

(With Agency Inputs)