A 21-day nationwide lockdown to stop the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi led to panic-buying across the country.
Soon after his address to the nation, the prime minister tweeted:
“My fellow citizens, there is absolutely no need to panic. Essential commodities, medicines etc. would be available. Centre and various state governments will work in close coordination to ensure this. Together, we will fight COVID-19 and create a healthier India.”
Despite his assurances, long queues were witnessed outside grocery and medical stores. Many took to social media to show how people were breaking safety measures to buy essential commodities.
A Twitter user posted a photo of people queuing up late at night to buy groceries.
A Twitter user posted a photo that showed a street before and after PM Modi’s speech.
Another Twitter user from Bengaluru alleged that the police were closing shops forcefully.
Meanwhile, a citizen from Mumbai called the prime minister’s announcement a failure of communication.
Senior Congress leader Ajay Maken also took to Twitter and wrote about the rush at grocery shops and chemist stores. "The government could have organised it better," he wrote.
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor wrote that PM’s speech didn’t specify how people were to get the essential commodities.
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