Don't panic, essential services will continue to function: CM Uddhav Thackeray clarifies after Modi's announcement

After Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a countrywide lockdown for 21 days starting from midnight on March 25, people in parts of Maharashtra including Mumbai rushed out of their homes while crowding markets and shops to buy essential products. 

As this happened, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday night urged citizens to not panic over the nationwide lockdown and informed that there is enough food grain stock in the state. 

“There is enough food grain stock and I appeal the citizens not to pile up stocks. Essential services will continue to function. Don’t panic and get confused. Don’t crowd markets and shops,” Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said. 

While addressing the citizens via web telecast, CM Uddhav Thackeray appealed the people to not panic and hoard the necessary items as the essential services including the food supply will remain functional. 

During his second address to the nation over coronavirus pandemic, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday informed that there will be a nationwide lockdown in place for 21 days in order to tackle the coronavirus crisis while appealing the people to not step out their house. 

However, while addressing the nation, the Prime Minister failed to address whether the essential services will remain accessible to people during the nationwide lockdown. 

Reacting to this, Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray said that he got startled when the Prime Minister asked people to stay at home and don’t step out. However, Thackeray informed that after speaking to PM Narendra Modi he was ascertained that the essential services will be available for the people during the lockdown. 

“Like everyone, I was also startled after Prime Minister made the announcement. But I spoke to PM and told him that Maharashtra was already under lockdown for two days. Essential services will continue to be available and people should not have any confusion regarding the same. Medical shops and Pharma companies will continue to function,” Thackeray stated. 

Earlier in the day, CM Thackeray had assured that enough supplies of food and other essential services were available in the state while urging people to not travel unnecessarily amid the coronavirus outbreak. 

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