NE NEWS SERVICE
CHENNAI, MARCH 20
Constituent of National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Tamilnadu, the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) on Friday welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for a “janta curfew” on March 22 as part of the country’s fight against coronavirus, saying it should be made a routine for the next three weeks.
PMK founder S Ramadoss also demanded closure of all liquor shops in Tamil Nadu, saying they were ”teeming” with tipplers despite government’s warnings to avoid large gatherings to prevent spread of coronavirus.
“The Prime Minister’s announcement on a day-long people’s curfew to prevent the spread of coronovirus is a welcome step. Lets respect his call and remain isolated and be aware,” he said in a tweet.
“Let us try to make this a routine for the next three weeks,” the PMK leader added, in an apparent reference to the one-day janta curfew.
கொரோனா பரவலைத் தடுக்க பிரதமர் அறிவித்துள்ள ஒரு நாள் மக்கள் ஊரடங்கு வரவேற்கத்தக்க நடவடிக்கை. அவரது அறிவிப்பை மதித்து தனித்திருப்போம்… விழித்திருப்போம்…. இதையே அடுத்த 3 வாரங்களுக்கு வாடிக்கையாக மாற்றிக்கொள்ள முயலுவோம்!
— Dr S RAMADOSS (@drramadoss) March 20, 2020
On Thursday, Modi had called for “resolve and restraint” to fight coronavirus, and asked the entire country to observe ”Janta curfew” on Sunday. In a televised address, he had asked people to stay indoors and work from home as much as possible. Ramadoss, a strong votary of prohibition, pleaded for closure of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) shops, all state-run, in Tamil Nadu. “Despite the government”s warnings and awareness campaigns on COVID-19 the liquor shops are teeming. These should not become centres that spread the virus. Therefore these shops should be closed immediately,” he said in another tweet.
Imposing a series of restrictions to combat the deadly virus, which has affected over 200 people in the country, the state government has already ordered closure of liquor bars. So far, three people have tested positive for the virus in Tamil Nadu with the first patient already discharged after his test results showed negative following treatment at a city government hospital.
In the meantime, it is said that the sale of liquor in TASMAC shops has been reduced by 19 per cent for the last few days, as the government already has closed the liquor bars in the state.
