The Prime Minister assured that all efforts are being taken to ensure no disruption to normal life.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a nation wide 21 day lockdown on Tuesday to fight the spread of the coronavirus in India. He however assured citizens in the course of his speech that there will be no interruption of essential services even as curfew comes into force from midnight on March 24.
“The Centre and State governments are working fast to handle situation caused by Corona. We are making efforts to ensure there is no difficulty to normal life. We are taking all steps to ensure essential services continue,” the Prime Minister announced.
A quick look at lists provided by various states show that as far as groceries are concerned – shops selling food, ration, milk, vegetables, meat, fish, fruit, wholesale and retail markets will remain open.
Important government departments such as Health and Family Welfare, Public, Home, Finance, RD & PR,MAWS, Co-operation, Food and Consumer Protection, P&AR, Revenue, Law, Transport, Social Welfare, etc have been kept open by most states. Public utilities including Electricity Board, Public Works Department, Metro Water (TWAD Board), Water Supply, Sewerage and Municipal Services will be functional.
Hospitals, health related establishments and PDS shops too will be open. Medical supplies / equipment, Pharmaceuticals and Biotech units, Ambulance services and hearse/funeral services will be available.
Despite several states saying that these are essential services there have been reports of the police closing down even grocery stores and disrupting movement of people heading there.
Source: The News Minute