The entire country is observing Janata Curfew today following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal for people to voluntarily stay indoors to check the spread of Corona virus.

Public transport has been suspended or curtailed and all markets and shops except those dealing in essential items are closed. It is a self-regulated drive which will came into force at 7 today morning and will continue till 9 PM.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called upon people to be a part of the Janata Curfew, which will add tremendous strength to the fight against COVID-19 menace. In a tweet this morning, Mr Modi requested citizens to become part of the nationwide campaign and make the fight against Corona a success.

He said, the steps we take now will help in the times to come. The Prime Minister urged people to stay indoors and stay healthy. He said, people’s restraint and determination will defeat the epidemic.

In his appeal to the nation on 19th March, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged public to avoid stepping out of their homes.

Mr Modi asked everyone to express gratitude towards doctors, nurses, hospital staff, sanitation workers, airlines employees, government staff, police personnel, media people, people associated with train-bus-auto rickshaw services and home delivery agents.

Cutting across party lines, Chief Ministers and others leaders  urged the people to follow the self-imposed curfew. AIR correspondent reports that no passenger train will originate from any railway station in the country till 10 P.M. tonight while all suburban train services have been reduced to a bare minimum.

Metro services, including in Delhi, are suspended for the day. Airlines like GoAir, IndiGo and Vistara have announced they are curtailing domestic operations for today. Traders’ body Confederation of All India Traders also announced that they will keep their establishments shut across the country.

In Delhi, 50 per cent of the buses will ply on roads considering some people may have to travel due to an emergency. Autos and taxis, however, are off the roads as several unions decided to join the ‘Janata Curfew’.