Big announcement! Modi to address the nation at 8 PM today - Here is why

In the wake of the ongoing coronavirus crisis, PM Narendra Modi will address the nation on Thursday 8 PM. During his address to the nation, the Prime Minister will talk about issues relating to COVID-19 and the efforts to combat it. PMO India tweeted, "PM Shri @narendramodi will address the nation on 19th March 2020 at 8 PM, during which he will talk about issues relating to COVID-19 and the efforts to combat it."

PM Shri @narendramodi will address the nation on 19th March 2020 at 8 PM, during which he will talk about issues relating to COVID-19 and the efforts to combat it.

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) March 18, 2020

On Wednesday, PM Modi chaired a high-level meeting to review the ongoing efforts to contain COVID-19. During the meeting, ways to further strengthen India’s preparedness were discussed.

Also, PM Narendra Modi emphasised on actively engaging with individuals, local communities and organisations in chalking out mechanisms to fight the COVID-19 menace. He also urged officials and technical experts to deliberate on the steps to be taken next.

Moreover, PM Modi expressed gratitude to all those at the forefront of combating COVID-19 including the various State Governments, medical fraternity, paramedical staff, armed and paramilitary forces, those associated with aviation sector, municipal staff and others.

On March 15, Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with leaders and representatives from SAARC nations participated in a video conference to chalk out a joint strategy to fight the coronavirus outbreak that has killed over 5,000 people worldwide. Apart from Modi, Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, Nepalese Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli, Bhutanese premier Lotay Tshering, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Special Assistant to Pakistani Prime Minister on Health Zafar Mirza participated in the video conference.

In his opening address, Prime Minister Modi said the South Asian region has reported less than 150 coronavirus cases, but "we need to remain vigilant". "Prepare, but don't panic" has been India's guiding mantra in dealing with coronavirus outbreak, he had said. "We started screening people entering India from mid-January itself, while gradually increasing restrictions on travel," Modi added.

Modi also said India helped some citizens of neighbouring countries by evacuating them from coronavirus-hit nations.