IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON INDIAN ECONOMY

March 19th 2020, 173 cases of COVID-19 were registered, but as of 20th March 2020, a total of 195 COVID-19 cases (163 Indians and 32 foreign nationals) have been reported in 20 states/union territories. The government has invoked powers under The Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 to enhance preparedness and containment of the virus. With COVID-19 being declared a notified disaster, the State Disaster Response Fund, constituted under Section 48
(a) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, has been made available with state governments for response measures. Addressing the nation, the Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi has urged for resolve and restraint and adopting social distancing. He has also asked fellow citizens to follow ‘Janata' curfew’ (voluntary self-isolation) on Sunday, 22 March 2020 from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
WHO Country Office for India (WCO) has been working on preparedness and response measures for COVID-19, including disease surveillance, laboratory and research protocols, risk communications, training on infection prevention and control and cluster containment plan, surveillance and tracking of travelers.