PM Modi prepared people mentally for lockdown through Janata Curfew: Vardhan

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Thursday lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for mentally preparing people for the lockdown by giving a call to observe the Janata Curfew before imposing nationwide curbs three days later on March 25 to contain the spread of coronavirus.

He also said the doubling rate of COVID-19 cases in the country has been showing regular improvement and now stands at 12.5 days when seen over a period of three days which is an indicator of the positive effects of the lockdown.

According to a health ministry statement, while interacting with civil society organisations and NGOs through a video link, thanked PM Modi for leading containment efforts by "first preparing the minds of people for lockdown through Janata Curfew and then announcing lockdown as part of the graded response to the evolving situation".

NITI Aayog, CEO, Amitabh Kant was also present at the video conference.

"The COVID-19 doubling rate in the country has been showing regular improvement and stands at 12.5 days when seen over a period of three days, 11 days seen over a period of seven days and 9.9 days over a period of 14 days," the health minister said,