Janta Curfew: Streets deserted as India remains indoors to combat coronavirus

New Delhi : Following a directive by PM Narendra Modi to implement 'Janta Curfew' on March 22 (Sunday), the Central government has asked all the states to ensure successful implementation of it to break the chain of spreading coronavirus in the nation.

More than 300 people have been tested positive to the coronavirus and four people have died so far in India.

During the Janta Curfew, people have been advised to stay inside their homes from 7 am to 9 pm. Emergency services, however, will remain open during the day.

As it began at 7 am in the morning, the streets across the states were seen deserted, a move that is likely to break the spreading chain of coronavirus in India. Meanwhile, PM Modi has asked the citizens of India to come out to their balconies and windows and express their gratitude to the frontline fighter like doctors and sanitation workers by clapping at 5 pm for five minutes.

Here is how states have planned to make it a success:

DELHI: Not more than five people can stand together in the national capital. Delhi Metro services have been suspended for the whole day. It will operate only between 6 am to 8 am for people going to essential services.

Bus frequency has been slashed to 50%. With transport unions supporting Janta Curfew, taxis and autos will also be taken off the roads.

Major markets will remain closed.

Maharashtra: Monorails and Metro trains will remain non-operational during the day. The Central Railway will cancel all of its 120 outstation train services between 4 am and 10 pm on Sunday. A total of 1106 local trains will be operated on all four railway lines Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT)- Kalyan, CSMT- Panvel, Panvel - Thane and Nerul- Belapur of the Central Railway on Sunday. The Western Railway will operate 800 local train services on Sunday owing to the ‘Janta curfew’.

Public places of recreation and entertainment like cinemas, malls, parks, clubs will remain closed.

Uttar Pradesh: Metro trains will remain non-operational in places like Lucknow and Noida. Bus services run by the state transport and city bus services will be closed from 6.00 am to 10.00 pm.

The jail authorities will not be allowing the meeting of inmates with their visitors during the day.

Tamil Nadu: Buses and train services in the state have been suspended for the day. The state government has already closed all the parks, gyms, malls, cinema theatre till March 31.

Gujarat: Apart from the restrictions on people’s movement and transport for ‘Janata Curfew’, the state government is reported to have taken a decision to lockdown Ahmedabad, Surat, Rajkot and Vadodara till March 25. Grocery stores, dairy and medical shops to remain open.

Telangana: In the state, the Janta Curfew has been extended to 24 hours as the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) buses would not operate for 24 hours and buses from other states would be stopped at the borders.

The Hyderabad Metro Rail would be closed but five trains have been kept on standby to attend to any emergency.

Haryana: State transport buses will not operate on the roads and public places for entertainment like restaurants, cinemas, malls etc will remain closed. 

Karnataka: Bengaluru police has warned people that action will be taken under certain sections of law if they venture out unnecessarily on Sunday during ‘Janta Curfew’. 

Jammu And Kashmir: Curfew-like restrictions on the movement and assembly of people will be imposed in Kashmir on Sunday to contain the coronavirus outbreak.

Himachal Pradesh: State transport buses have been suspended and all the inter-state contract carriage has been suspended from midnight of March 21 till further orders.

North East: 12 airports in the North-East region that fall under the essential services category will continue to be functional on Sunday during ‘Janta Curfew’ and domestic flights will keep operating.

Uttarakhand: Medical professionals and others engaged in providing essential services will remain exempt from the curfew.

Bihar: Bus services, restaurants, banquet halls will remain shut. Over 4000 temples have also been ordered to stay close to avoid gathering of people to offer prayers.

Chhattisgarh: All government offices in Chhattisgarh, except those providing essential and emergency services, to remain shut till March 31.