Coronavirus | Essential Commodities Will Be Available, There Is No Need To Panic: PM Modi Tells Nation

Minutes after announcing complete lockdown across nation from 12 am today for next 21 days, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter and urged countrymen not to panic. PM Modi wrote, "My fellow citizens, THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO NEED TO PANIC. Essential commodities, medicines etc. would be available. Centre and various state governments will work in close coordination to ensure this. Together, we will fight COVID-19 and create a healthier India. Jai Hind."

My fellow citizens,

THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO NEED TO PANIC.

Essential commodities, medicines etc. would be available. Centre and various state governments will work in close coordination to ensure this.

Together, we will fight COVID-19 and create a healthier India.

Jai Hind!

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 24, 2020

Declaring the lockdown, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "From midnight, the entire country will be in lockdown, total lockdown. To save India, to save its every citizen, you, your family... every street, every neighbourhood is being put under lockdown". "Forget about leaving home in the next 21 days... If you cross the Lakshman Rekha, you will invite the virus home," PM Modi said in his second address to the nation in a week.

"21 days' lockdown may seem to be a long time, but this is the only way to ensure everyone is safe. If we don't handle these 21 days well, then our country, your family will go backwards by 21 years," the PM said, folding his hands several times during his half-hour speech.

India, said PM Modi, was at a critical stage where even a single misstep could lead to the deadly virus spreading like wildfire. "Some think social distancing is only for patients. That's not correct. Social distancing is the only way to fight the virus. It is for every citizen, every family, every member, even for the Prime Minister."