The prime minister on Saturday appealed people to avoid unnecessary travels
India is observing a "Janata (public) Curfew" today from 7 am to 9 pm after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for social distancing to curb the spread of highly contagious coronavirus.
"Under this Janata (public) curfew, no one should leave their home or gather in their neighbourhoods. Only those related to essential services should go out," PM Modi said in a televised address to the nation on Thursday.
Minutes before the start of the curfew this morning, he tweeted this morning: "In a few minutes from now, the #JantaCurfew commences. Let us all be a part of this curfew, which will add tremendous strength to the fight against COVID-19 menace. The steps we take now will help in the times to come. Stay indoors and stay healthy. #IndiaFightsCorona. (sic)."
India has witnessed a record spike in the number of coronavirus cases in the last two days with over 100 fresh cases; figures shot up from 170 on Thursday to 315 on Saturday. The pandemic has wreaked havoc across the world, infecting over 2 lakh people.
Across the country, several states have announced partial shutdowns and imposed restrictions on people's movement and gatherings as part of precautionary measures to contain the pandemic.
Here are the highlights of the Nationwide Janata Curfew:
Citizens clap at their homes to show appreciation to those out in the field amid coronavirus pandemic
Health Ministry On Coronavirus: "Country Can Overcome Any Challenge"The Health Ministry has thanked the people of the country for observing "Janata Curfew". "The country can overcome any challenge," an official said.
Coronavirus: Uddhav Thackeray Says No Oversees Flight To Land In Mumbai
I would like to request everyone to continue Janata Curfew till tomorrow morning. The number of cases has increased considerably. I have no option left but to apply Section 144 in Maharashtra. No flights outside of India will be allowed to land in Mumbai: Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Sunday requested people to stay indoors and assured them that he is monitoring the healthcare situation amid COVID-19 outbreak. "Working from home on the day of Janta Curfew. Have also asked my support staff to work from home. I am reviewing and monitoring the situation across the state with respect to movement on borders as well as healthcare services," Mr Sawant said in a tweet.
Noida-Greater Noida metro, city bus services suspended till March 31 with immediate effect due to coronavirus outbreak, news agency PTI reports.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Jagat Prakash Nadda on Sunday appealed to the citizens to follow the "Janta curfew" call given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and unite in the battle against COVID-19.
"Today we need to unite and fight a big battle against the corona infection. The ''Janta curfew'' is an important step by the public, for the health of the public. I request all of you to follow the guidelines given by respected Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding ''Janta curfew''," Mr Nadda tweeted in Hindi.
Janata Curfew Battle Against Coronavirus, Says Yogi Adityanath Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday said that the ''Janata Curfew,'' being observed across the country is a battle against coronavirus pandemic and that social distancing is the best way to defeat it.
"Janata Curfew is being observed across the country today. It is a battle against coronavirus. Social distancing is the best way to defeat the pandemic and prevent its spread," the chief minister told ANI.
Describing people as valued soldiers in the fight against coronavirus, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said caution can help lakhs of other lives.
Referring to the 14-hour ''Janata curfew'' on Sunday, he said people can enjoy quality family time, television and some good food.
"Each of you is a valued soldier in this battle against COVID-19. Your being alert and cautious can help lakhs of other lives," he wrote on Twitter, sharing videos of people having meal at home.
He also pitched for use of digital payments to prevent the spread of the virus.
Prime Minister Narendra Modis call for self-imposed curfew from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday to contain Coronavirus spread evoked a massive response, turning Karnataka into an eerie state, as lakhs of people stayed at home, an official said.
"The day began on a positive note with lakhs of people across the southern state staying home in response to Modi's call for a 14-hour janata curfew from morning to night to minimise Coronavirus impact," a state health official told news agency IANS.
On the appeal from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a ''Janata curfew'', people across Jammu region on Sunday stayed back at their homes to check the spread of coronavirus that has so far infected four persons in the Union territory, news agency PTI reported.
In a related development, a Jammu-based English daily announced its decision to close its offices for the day in response to the Prime Minister's call.
Jammu and other parts of the region, which are under virtual lockdown for the past couple of days, witnessed unprecedented response to the ''Janata curfew'' with residents preferring not to venture outside their homes to lend their support to the government's efforts to fight the pandemic.
Medical stores on Sunday remained open in the national capital even as the nation observes ''Janta curfew'' from 7 am to 9 pm, news agency ANI reported.
Yoga Guru Randev's Appeal On Janata Curfew
Yoga Guru Ramdev on Sunday appealed to people to make ''Janta curfew'' successful by being responsible and staying at home. He also appealed to people to perform Yoga to live a healthy life.
"We have to make this Janta curfew a success by staying at home and being responsible. Senior citizens and children should stay home for at least one month and should adopt a healthy lifestyle by doing meditation and Yoga to fight the coronavirus," Ramdev told news agency ANI.
Sixty thousand markets across India are closed today, over 7 crore traders, their 40 crore employees observe Janata Curfew
Janata Curfew: Rikshaw Pullers Fear Losing Wages
Taking Some Rest Today: Delhi Metro On Janata Curfew
This is possibly the first time in 18 years that Delhi Metro is shut
Janata Curfew Updates: Delhi Police Gives Red Rose To People Stepping Out During Curfew 
Working From Home Today: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh On Janata Curfew
Janata Curfew Updates: Mumbai Wakes Up To Empty Roads Mumbai - the city that never sleeps - on Sunday woke up to empty roads and deserted public places as the ''Janata curfew'' proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to counter the coronavirus spread began. PM Modi has proposed the day-long curfew between 7 am and
9 pm as part of social distancing to check the spread of the
deadly virus.
The novel coronavirus cases in India rose to 315 on Saturday after more than 70 fresh cases were reported in various parts of the country - the biggest jump country has seen in a day - the Union Health Ministry said.
Coronavirus Updates: Four Cities In Gujarat Under Complete Lockdown Till March 25 Four cities in PM Modi's home state of Gujarat have declared a complete shutdown until March 25
Stay indoors and stay healthy: PM Modi
PM requests people under home quarantine to follow the advise of doctors"This is the time we should all listen to the advise given by doctors and authorities. All those who have been told to stay in home quarantine, I urge you to please follow the instructions. This will protect you as well as your friends and family," the Prime Minister said on Twitter.