Pompeo "stressed that this is not the time to spread disinformation and outlandish rumours, but rather a time for all nations to come together to fight this common threat," the department added.
"It might be US army who brought the epidemic to Wuhan. Be transparent! Make public your data! US owe us an explanation," tweeted Zhao, who is known for his provocative statements on social media.
While Covid-19 -- the disease caused by the virus -- has largely come under control in China, it has killed more than 7,000 people around the world and severely disrupted daily life in Western countries.
There was a refreshing change in Indian political atmosphere on Tuesday, March 24 evening as principal opposition Congress and parties such as the DMK backed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision to announce three-week long complete nationwide lockdown to fight the coronavirus menace.
'Koi Road Par Na Nikle' (No one should come out on roads), he said in his second national address within a week.
Amid folded hands --- more than once, Prime Minister sought support of citizens and said this was the only way to fight the disease.
Chinese envoy trolled on Twitter, Wang Yi flays 'stigmatising' China on Corona
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has ordered a complete 21-day lockdown across India from Tuesday (March 24) midnight,
asserting this is the only 'ray of light' in the midst of highly vulnerable challenging times posed by constant rise
in cases of coronavirus positive test.
A federal Home Ministry order issued immediately after PM's address said any person who refuses to comply with the directions of authorities (on COVID-19) shall on 'conviction' "be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year or withfine or with both and if such obstructions or refusal to comply with directions results in loss of lives or imminent danger thereof,shall on conviction be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years".
Modi's call to the nation to remain indoors is intended to protect the lives of hundreds of people and their families from the "agony of the damage" caused by coronavirus, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa said.
"Not only me, every 6.5 crore Kannadigas are with the prime minister and his intentions to protect the people from coronavirus," Yediyurappa said.
Rajasthan Chief Minister and senior Congress Ashok Gehlot, known for enjoying good rapport with Rahul Gandhi, supported the prime minister's call for a 21-day lockdown.
"I am happy that Rajasthan was the first state to declare a complete lockdown. I support Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement of a 21-day lockdown. Together we must fight it and defeat it," Gehlot said in a tweet.
Reviewing the lockdown situation with all the district collectors and superintendents of police, Gehlot said that coronavirus infection can be avoided only through social distancing.
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The announcement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for 21-day nationwide lockdown from Tuesday midnight in view of the coronavirus threat led to panic-buying of essential items in many parts of the national capital.
The prime minister appealed to people not to panic, saying thronging shops will pose the risk of spread of COVID-19.
"There is absolutely no need to panic; the Centre and states will work together to ensure availability of essential commodities, medicines, etc," he said.
However, people had to plan for 21 days and fearing rise in prices of the commodities queued up in front of grocery stores, vegetable vendors and chemist outlets.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued guidelines to be followed during the 21-day complete lockdown, assuring that fair price shops and those dealing with food, groceries, fruits, vegetables, dairy, meat, fish, animal fodder will remain open.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday, March 24, held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell Fontelles on the coronavirus pandemic.
In a telephonic conversation, Jaishankar assured Fontelles of India's "fullest support" in the return of EU citizens from India.
The Chinese foreign minister said China is confident that India can handle and win the battle against COVID-19.
"During a phone call with EAM Dr. Jaishankar today, State Councilor and FM Wang Yi expressed sympathy and solidarity with India in the fight against COVID-19. China is ready to share our experience, provide assistance within our capacity and open its channel for procurement to India." Chinese Ambassador to India Sun Weidong tweeted after Jaishankar and Wang Yi's telephonic conversation.
Wang Yi also told Jaishankar that China and India should support each other and jointly safeguard global public health, according to the Chinese Ambassador to India.
"Jaishankar thanked China for its sympathy message and assistance of medical materials to India," he noted.
Wang Yi said it is detrimental to international cooperation to label the virus and stigmatise China. He hoped that India would oppose such "narrow mindset".
US President Donald Trump has been repeatedly calling the novel coronavirus as a "Chinese virus".
According to the Chinese ambassador, Jaishankar agreed not to label the virus and called for a "strong signal of solidarity" from the international community.
After the meeting, Jaishankar said on Twitter, "Discussed with State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi of China our working together in combating COVID-19. Agreed to build further on our bilateral efforts in this domain. Exchanged views on the forthcoming G20 Summit. Global challenges require global cooperation."
In another post, he added, "Reviewed the COVID-19 situation with EU HRVP Josep Borrell Fontelles today. Exchanged views on our respective challenges. Assured him of our fullest support in the return of EU citizens from India."
Coronavirus cases in the country rose to 536 and the death toll to 10.
The Uttar Pradesh police on Tuesday lodged a total of 1,326 criminal cases against people taking the lockdown in its 18 districts lightly and violating its provisions.
"To implement lockdown in various districts strictly, the police registered 1,326 FIRs against violaters," DGP HC Awasthi said.
The FIRs were lodged under IPC section 188 which deals with disobedience to order duly promulgated by a public servant.
DMK in Tamil Nadu welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for a three week lockdown to prevent the spread of coronavirus, saying it should be made into a "self-imposed rule."
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In a series of tweets after the PM's address to the nation, in which Modi announced the country would go into a three-week lockdown from Wednesday, senior Congress leader P Chidambaram said the right thing to do is for every citizen to support the decision whatever may be the hardships.
However, he said he listened to the Prime Minister carefully and was left with "a mix of emotions - relief, vindication, frustration, disappointment, worry, fear etc."
"I am certain the PM understands the urgency of announcing a financial package and putting cash in the pockets of the poor, daily workers, agricultural workers, self-employed etc.
"Once the package is announced, there are other pressing sectoral problems that have to be addressed. For example, how are the farmers going to harvest their crop beginning April 1?" he asked.
Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala demanded the government immediately deposits Rs 7,500 each in the bank accounts of the poor, marginalised and pensioners for their subsistence during the lockdown.
In a series of tweets, he said the the minimum income guarantee scheme suggested by former Congress president Rahul Gandhi is the need of the hour and the Centre should implement it immediately.
"The country will fight COVID and even defeat it but it is disheartened at your suggestions. Crisis is the acid test of a leadership but your government is not ready for this," Surjewala said, demanding a loan-waiver for farmers who are due to enter the harvest season soon.
The Congress leader questioned the PM on the alleged shortages of personal protective equipment for doctors and health workers who would need protection to manage COVID 19 patients.
"What did you do to prevent this pandemic? How will the safety of healthcare workers be ensured? What solution do you have for the potential food crisis that would arise during the lockdown? How will a poor person subsist during the curfew? Surjewala asked in one of the tweets.
In a video message posted on Twitter, he said, "Dear Prime Minister Modi Ji, On 22nd March, 2020 at 5:00 PM, all of us clapped for our doctors, our nurses and health professionals who are fighting the coronavirus. But these defenders of our nation do not want 'Thali' mention or 'Taali' mention, they need protection and that is what they are demanding from you.
Some independent media studies had claimed that a modest 27 per cent Indians 'stayed' at home due to the fear of spreading
the virus and only 39 per cent Indians were fearful about the killer disease.
Any negligence in these 21 days will "push the country and your families backwards by 21 years", the Prime Minister said underlining the importance of social distancing to 'break' the cycle of contacts of the massive danger the coronavirus poses and
clearly ventilating his disapproval to the people's gestures and generally taking things for granted.
The Prime Minister said, “India is at a stage where our current actions will determine how much we are able to minimize the impact of this disaster. It’s time to consistently keep strengthening our resolve. It’s time to exercise caution at every step. You have to remember that Life is more Important than anything else and survival is the key".
"Jaan hai toh Jahaan hai," he said in his Hindi televised address adding "This is the time for patience and discipline. Until the lockdown situation remains, we must keep our resolve, we must keep our promise.”
The Prime Minister said the Central and State Governments countrywide are working swiftly and in coordination
to ensure that citizens do not face much inconvenience in their daily life.
He said that provisions have been made to ensure supplies of all essential items continue smoothly.
He said along with the Central and State Governments, individuals from civil societies and institutions are constantly striving to reduce the problems of the poor during this period of crisis.
Prime Minister said that the Government has provided Rupees Fifteen Thousand Crore (Rs 15,000,00,00,000) for strengthening the medical infrastructure and treatment of the Corona infected patients.
But the Prime Minister's speech on Tuesday evening announcing 21-day complete lockdown "urging people even not to venture out from homes" was evoked with mild and veiled criticism from the opposition Congress party.
"We ask Prime Minister Modi with folded hands not to leave thousands of common people and poor people at their own fate.
While 21-day lockdown could be implemented, but there must be some scheme or government support to poor people who survive on daily earnings," Congress spokesman Randeep Singh Surjewala said.
Cautioning about those who have been rather callous during recent restrictions and partial lockdown in some states, the Prime Minister said, “carelessness of a few, ill-conceived notions of a few can put you, your children, your parents, your family, your friends, the entire country in grave jeopardy. It will be impossible to estimate the price India will have to pay if this carelessness continues.”
Modi did fold his hands more than once during the address to emphasise his request to citizens to adhere to his call, saying the 21-day lockdown is applicable to everyone right from the Prime Minister to a common faceless citizen in a village.
There was panic buying in most chemist shops and grocery shops in the national capital and adjoining places.
Yogi Adityanath, the monk-turned-politician Chief Minister of country's most populous state Uttar Pradesh announced that
there is "enough" essential items like vegetables,milk,medicines for 23 crore people of his state.
"For the safety of you and your family do not step out of your houses and maintain social distance," he said.
In some places arrangements were being made by authorities for supplying essential commodities at door steps
through the support of district administration staff.
"As of now, all arrangements look fine. We are with the Prime Minister as the nation needs to set an exemplary example
and back the government decision of lockdown. That is the way to fight the coronavirus," said a medico Dr D Tublu in Karnal in Haryana.
(story run by UCAN March 23, 2020)
India came to a grinding halt on March 23 as the federal and several state governments announced a lockdown in 85 districts, including major cities, as Covid-19 infection cases spiked to more than 400.
Authorities have shut down 85 of India’s 730 districts, including business nerve-center Mumbai and national capital New Delhi. Restrictions are imposed on people’s movement and businesses, with all non-essential movement of goods and travel temporarily suspended.
Inter-state buses, long-distance passenger trains, suburban trains and international flights have been suspended until March 31 in all the districts, forcing people indoors.
Districts facing lockdown are in the states of Maharashtra, Kerala, Telangana, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand and West Bengal.
The lockdown began after Indians stayed indoors on March 22 in self-imposed quarantine across the country following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for a "people’s curfew" to stress the importance of social distancing.
Millions of people, including women, children and the elderly, followed a Hindu ritual by standing outside their homes or on their balconies at 5pm to beat plates and blow conch shells to thank the health workers at the forefront of the fight against the killer virus.
Delhi police clamped prohibitory orders disallowing any gathering of more than five people at any place. All outdoor work such as construction came to a halt. Places of worship, including all Catholic churches across India, remained closed.
The Sunday Mass of Archbishop Anil Joseph Couto of Delhi was made available on social media channels. Some priests also streamed their Masses on social media to help people participate, said Father Savarimuth Sankar, public relations officer of Delhi Archdiocese.
Suspension of Masses evoked no criticism from Catholics because “people are sensible and do understand the situation,” he told UCA News.
“The archbishop’s Mass will be available online every day until the suspension is lifted,” Father Sankar said.
Father Stanley Kozhichira, who heads Signis India, the Catholic audio-visual organization, offered Mass in Hindi, the most popular Indian language, on March 22.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced the national capital would be placed under lockdown from 6am to midnight every day until March 31, with all shops and business establishments closed.
“Delhi’s border will also be sealed,” he said, announcing a special relaxation for the supply of essential commodities such as milk and groceries. Exceptions were also allowed to media persons, police and health workers.
Two of the seven deaths from Covid-19 have been reported in Maharashtra on the western coast. State capital Mumbai, known for its high-density slums, has reported 14 cases.
Political leaders, quoting health experts, say the pandemic needs to be checked at this stage as it could not be managed at the "community spread" stage in India with its high population density.
Derek O’ Brien, an Anglo-Indian parliamentarian from Kolkata belonging to regional party Trinamool (Grassroots) Congress, has urged the federal government to suspend the ongoing budget session of parliament, which is otherwise slated to continue until April 3.
Even in Mizoram in the northeast, dominated by tribal Christians, people followed Modi's curfew call. Northeastern states such as Mizoram and Assam are feared to be vulnerable to coronavirus as they share a border with Myanmar, Bhutan and Bangladesh.
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