Amidst novel coronavirus scare and crashing economy, 51 entrepreneurs, including Urban Company and Snapdeal, write to PM asking for lockdown.
New Delhi| A group of venture capitalists and start-ups have appealed to PM Narendra Modi to take decisive action and “impose strict lockdown and impose Section 144 (to ban large gatherings) across key cities this week” to combat the COVID-19 outbreak.
In a detailed Powerpoint presentation tweeted Tuesday evening, Abhiraj Singh Bhal, the co-founder of Urban Company (formerly Urban Clap), pointed out that countries that had “acted early and strongly (South Korea, Singapore and Japan)” were able to control the outbreak as compared to those which “waited and watched (Iran, Italy and the United States)”.
“The virus does not discriminate basis nationality – early, strong and decisive action is key to containment. Impose Section 144 and strict lockdown (citizens stay at home) across major cities for two weeks starting March 20, 2020,” the presentation said.
“While containment efforts should continue, imposing a lockdown and Section 144 now, vs 30 days later, might reduce deaths by 5x (saving nearly 10,000 lives,” it added.
“Govt should impose 2-3 week lockdown with section 144 across major impacted cities right away, and be prepared for a second lockdown later,” said the presentation.
It noted that although the containment activities like travel restrictions should continue, “we might need a lot more, and sooner rather than later.”
The entrepreneurs suggested that the first lockdown should be implemented from March 20 to April 12, following which April 13-May 17 should be a precautionary phase with social distancing.
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They have suggested a second lockdown from May 18 to May 31 and said that starting June 1 the curbs can be lifted in a phased manner.
During the lockdown, the government should continuously advise people to quarantine themselves at home and carry out the best personal hygiene practices.
They also urged the government to maintain the supply chain of essential goods and services, including food, medicine, healthcare access, public transport, cash availability in ATMs.
Global markets have also suffered massive losses over the past two weeks.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi warned of “economic devastation” over the next six months and cautioned the centre to think of a long-term plan to help businesses and the economy recover.
In India, the total number of coronavirus cases has reached 152 according to the Union Health Ministry. A total of three deaths have been reported so far in India.
Across the nation, 14 patients have been cured and discharged.
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