While Tamil Nadu came to a virtual standstill on Sunday as people observed the 'Janata Curfew' proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to help check the spread of coronavirus, the state government extended it till 5 am on Monday.
While the support of people, traders, industries and other sections of the society was visible on Sunday, the government acknowledged their "cooperation" and said the curfew scheduled to end at 9 pm on Sunday "will continue till 5 am tomorrow considering people's welfare."
An official release here said there was no bar to the continuation of essential services and appealed to people to extend their full cooperation.
Empty streets, shops closed in Jharkhand
A spontaneous response by the people to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'janata curfew' appeal to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus showed empty streets, railway stations and highways across Jharkhand on Sunday. Only emergency vehicles were plying on the roads, and all shops and markets remained closed. In addition, free rations would be given for two months to those who take it in one go.
Some die-hard cricket fans were seen playing 'gully cricket' in Pakurs Harindanga bazaar.
Jharkhand's Principal Secretary has reportedly asked police to extend the curfew to Monday morning.
Auto-generated phone calls are appealing to people to stand in their balconies at 5pm, beating plates and ringing bells to show solidarity, encouragement and applause to doctors, health workers and other volunteers engaged to combat the pandemic.
The Transport Department of the Jharkhand government had suspended inter-state bus services from Saturday midnight till further orders.
The state government has already announced closure of all educational institutions till April 14.
Section 144 in Puducherry
With one confirmed case, Puducherry had imposed Section 144 from March 23-31. The popular tourist destination has just one case but authorities don't want to take any chances.
Chief Minister V Narayanasamy said that has people can step out of their houses from 8am to 9am and 6pm to 7pm to buy groceries and essential products.
Karnataka enters lockdown
The Karnataka government has decided to shut state borders and postpone all exams including class 10, as part of measures aimed at controling the spread of COVID-19 virus, Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa said on Sunday.
Streets in the capital city and other parts of the state wore a deserted look as the 'Janata curfew' began. Police officials had promised action against those seen outside during the curfew.
The Chief Minister complimented and thanked people of the state for supporting the Prime Minister's call for observing the 'Janata Curfew'.
Appealing to people in the cities not to travel to villages for the next 15 days to control outbreak in rural areas, Yediyurappa said a decision has also been taken to screen all domestic passengers henceforth at airports.
"We have decided to completely shut state's borders, we request cooperation of every one in this regard. All examinations includingLC (class 10 that was scheduled from March 27) have been postponed, however only one PUC (class 12) paper scheduled for tomorrow will be held," Yediyurappa told reporters here.
The chief minister said he held detailed discussions with Narayana Health Chairman Dr Devi Shetty, senior Ministers and officials of his government this morning regarding certain important measures need to be taken.
A 1,700-bed facility at Victoria Hospital in the city will be converted as a special hospital for COVID related cases with immediate effect, he added.
"It has been decided to postpone all elections that was scheduled...most importantly I appeal to people residing in the cities not to travel to villages for fifteen days, as there are no problems there, cases are in the cities," he added.
