India observes 14-hour coronavirus curfew as cases rise above 300

Sunday, 22 March 2020 10:28

Millions of people across India are staying indoors today, as the country observes a 14-hour coronavirus curfew.

Announcing the curfew last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged citizens to observe home quarantine from 07:00 (01:30 GMT) until 21:00 on Sunday.

"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," he tweeted moments before the "Janata curfew" came into effect.

Several cities in Maharashtra, Gujarat and Rajasthan have already been placed under lockdown.

Modi has also requested citizens to take to their balconies and windows on Sunday evening to pay tribute to healthcare workers.

On Sunday, the country reported two more deaths from COVID-19, taking the death toll to six. Officials added that so far there are over 300 active cases in the country.

More from International News

WHO chief urges safe burials in visit to heart of Ebola outbreak

The World Health Organisation (WHO) chief has travelled on Saturday to the Congolese province hardest hit by an Ebola outbreak, urging residents to seek treatment and practice safe burials as officials scramble to contain the fatal disease.
Rescuers pull four from flooded cave in Laos

Rescuers pulled four people from a flooded cave in Laos on Saturday, Thai volunteers said, hours after another man was brought out late on Friday.
Brazil investigates suspected Ebola case in Sao Paulo

Health authorities in Brazil's Sao Paulo state are investigating a suspected case of Ebola reported on Saturday in the state capital, officials said.
Zambia steps up Ebola screening as neighbouring Congo sees cases rise

Zambia has investigated and cleared two suspected cases of Ebola as it steps up screening and surveillance for the deadly viral disease following an outbreak in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo.