False & an attempt to mislead the public: Union Health Minister on misinformation on Covid 19

Taking to his twitter handle Dr Harsh Vardhan said that some anti-social elements were spreading misinformation that after today's lock down, coronavirus will be washed away, adding that such elements were exhorting people to come outdoors after 9pm.

"This is false & an attempt to mislead the public," he added.

The day-long Janata Curfew (from 7 AM to 9 PM) was announced by the PM in his address to the nation on Thursday night in the wake of the rapid spike in the number of positive COVID-19 cases in the country.

The Health Ministry thanked the people of India for observing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for Janta curfew on Sunday. "Fellow countrymen have been brought back from different parts of the world. Isolation is important at this point in time to break the chain of transmission," said the health ministry.

"The country can overcome any challenge," said the health ministry.

Modi addressing the nation on Thursday urged all to adopt resolve and restraint as well as social distancing to fight the menace of the virus and directed them to observe 'Janata Curfew' on Sunday by staying home, to help contain the infection spread.

Janata Curfew has received immense support across the country with people remaining confined to their homes, and trains, buses and other means of public transport suspended for the day.

Following the support on Janta Curfew imposed today, the government has decided to extend the lockdown till Mar 31.

"In view of the need to contain the spread of COVID 19, it was agreed that there is urgent need to extend the restrictions on the movement of non-essential passenger transport including inter-state transport buses till 31st March 2020," read a government statement.

All the Chief Secretaries informed that there is overwhelming and spontaneous response to the call for Janta Curfew given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The following important decisions were taken:

·         All train services suspended till 31st March 2020 including sub-urban rail services.  However, goods trains are exempted.

·         All metro rail services suspended till 31st March 2020.  State Governments to issue orders allowing only essential services to operate in about 75 districts with confirmed COVID 19 cases.

·         Inter State passenger transport also to be suspended till 31st March 2020.