Rlys too keep passenger services suspended
NEW DELHI, Apr 14: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today announced that the lockdown across the country will be extended till May 3 to fight the Coronavirus pandemic, saying the measure has produced a significant outcome in containing the infection.
In a nearly 25-minute televised address to the nation, Modi said implementation of the lockdown will be strictly ensured in its second phase and detailed guidelines will be brought out tomorrow to ensure that outbreak does not spread to new areas.
Click here to watch video
Some relaxations may be allowed after April 20 in places where there are no hotspots, he said.
“Follow the rules of lockdown with full devotion till May 3, stay where you are, stay safe,” the Prime Minister told citizens.
Modi said India has managed to contain the pandemic well compared to many developed countries due to its holistic approach in dealing with the crisis and sacrifices made by people of the country in the fight produced tangible results.
The Prime Minister sought the support of the people in seven areas, including taking care of elderly people, maintaining social distancing and helping the poor and downtrodden.
“If India would not have adopted a holistic approach, if an integrated approach was not initiated, India’s situation would have been different (compared to many developed countries). It is clear from the experiences of the past few days that the path we have chosen is right,” the Prime Minister said.
India, he said, received huge benefits from the 21-day lockdown in checking the pandemic, adding that the country has dealt with the situation better with “limited resources”.
The lockdown that came into effect on March 25 was to expire at midnight on April 14.
The Prime Minister said some relaxation may be allowed in some areas and the scope of Coronavirus testing will be expanded significantly.
“Till April 20, every town, every police station, every district, every State will be tested on how much they are adhering to the lockdown; how much the areas have protected themselves from coronavirus. It will be observed.
“Some necessary activities may be allowed in areas that will pass this litmus test; areas which will not be among the hotspots and are less likely to turn into hotspots,” he said.
The Prime Minister said India may have paid a big economic price, but there can be no alternative to saving human lives.
“India’s fight against Coronavirus is going on very strongly,” Modi said, adding that there is adequate stock of medicines and rations in the country.
The fight against COVID-19 will be made more stringent in next one week, he said, asserting that new hotspots will create new crises.
India has reported 10,363 cases of the virus infection and 339 deaths so far.
The drastic pan-India lockdown had shone the spotlight on the miseries of lakhs of migrant workers whose journeys on foot from several urban centres to their villages hundreds of kilometres away grabbed headlines for many days last month.
The catastrophic effect of the lockdown on the overall economy and livelihoods of migrant and daily wage workers triggered severe concerns following which a number of Chief Ministers in their video conference with Modi on Saturday sought some kind of relaxation for a number of sectors.
Late last month, the Government announced a Rs 1.7 lakh crore package aimed at providing relief to those hit hard by the lockdown as well as an insurance cover for healthcare professionals handling virus infected people.
Modi said India has done well in containing the pandemic compared to many other countries.
“You are fulfilling your duties like a disciplined soldier,” Modi said, hailing the people for their support in stemming the spread of the virus.
Meanwhile, the Indian Railways today extended the suspension of all its passenger services till May 3, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to extend the nationwide lockdown amid COVID-19 threat.
It also said that full refund of fare would automatically be provided to its online customers for trains cancelled up to May 3, while those who have booked at the counters can claim the refund till July 31.
Customers will also get full refunds of their tickets if they are cancelling their advance bookings for trains not yet cancelled, it said.
“In continuation of the measures taken in the wake of COVID-19 lockdown, it has been decided that all passenger train services on Indian Railways, including premium trains, mail/express trains, passenger trains, suburban trains, Kolkata Metro Rail, Konkan Railway shall continue to remain cancelled till 2400 hours of May 3,” a statement from the railways said.
It also said that to ensure essential supplies in various parts of the country, movement of goods and parcel trains will remain operational.
The Railways further said that all counters for booking of rail journey tickets for reserved/unreserved travel at railway stations and outside railway station premises shall remain closed till May 3 midnight.
The Railway Board has issued instructions to the zones that full refunds for fares of cancelled trains should be initiated by them.
It said no advance reservation of trains tickets, including e-tickets, will be allowed till further orders. However, facility of online cancellation will remain functional.
“As far as trains cancelled up to May 3 are concerned, refunds would be automatically provided by the Railways online to the customers while those who have booked at the counters, refund can be taken up to July 31. Full refund will be given for tickets for the bookings made for the trains cancelled,” it said.
“Full refund will also be there for those cancelling the advance bookings of tickets for trains not yet cancelled,” the railways said.
Railways has also extended its earlier waiver of demurrage, wharfage, stacking, stabling, detention and ground usage charges till May 3 for those using its freight services in view of the extension of the lockdown period. (PTI)
Modi lists 7 steps to follow
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today asked people to follow seven steps in the coming days to help the Government in its fight against Coronavirus.
The seven steps which the Prime Minister asked people to follow included taking care of the elderly as they are more prone to infection, keeping their faces covered while venturing out and taking care of the poor and the needy who have been effected by the lockdown.
” … If we continue to be patient and follow rules, we will be able to defeat even a pandemic like Coronavirus. With this faith and trust, I seek your support for 7 things,” he said in his address to the nation.
The first step was to take special care of the elderly, especially those who have chronic disease. “We have to take extra care of them, and keep them safe from coronavirus,” he said.
The second step,Modi said, was strict adherence to the ‘Lakshman Rekha’ of the lockdown and social distancing. “Please also use homemade face-covers and masks without fail,” he said.
He also urged people to follow the protocol issued by the Ayush Ministry to enhance immunity. “Regularly consume warm water and ‘kadha’,” he said.
The Prime Minister also stressed on the need to download the the Arogya Setu mobile app to help prevent the spread of Coronavirus infection.
” Take as much care of poor families as you can … Try to fulfill their food requirements … Be compassionate towards the people who work with you in your business or industry. Do not deprive them of their livelihood,” he said.
Finally, he said people should pay utmost respect to “Corona Warriors” – doctors and nurses, sanitation workers and police force. (PTI)
Follow our WhatsApp channel
