The Press Information Office issued a clarification on the viral report citing NDMA, which calls for another blockade in India from September 25.
The Union government on Monday denied reports that there will be another lockdown starting on September 25 due to the increase in coronavirus cases in the country. The Press Information Office (PIB) took to Twitter to discredit the viral fake report. Although PIB issued the clarification on September 12, many still receive the false message and it is widely shared.
A circular, citing the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), called on the Indian government to announce another shutdown, effective September 25. The screenshot of the circular was widely shared on social media.
The “order” of September 10 stated: “In order to contain the spread of COVID-19 and decrease the death rate in the country, the National Disaster Management Authority, together with the Planning Commission, hereby urges the Government of India and leads the Prime Minister’s Office, the Home Office will re-impose a strict nationwide lockdown of 46 days from midnight September 25, 2020. Maintain the supply chain of products basic essentials in the country, so the NDMA sends a prior notice to the Ministry to plan accordingly. “
The Press Information Office has dismissed the outstanding order as false and has said that NDMA has issued no such order.
“Claim: An order allegedly issued by the National Disaster Management Authority claims that it has ordered the government to re-impose a national lockdown as of September 25. GDP data verification: This request is false. NMDA has not issued any such order to reimpose the blockade, ”PIB tweeted.
Claim: An order allegedly issued by the National Disaster Management Authority claims that it has ordered the government to reimpose a #Emergency closure as of September 25. #PIBFactCheck: This command is #False. @ndmaindia it has not issued any order to re-enforce the blockade. pic.twitter.com/J72eeA62zl
– Verification of GDP data (@PIBFactCheck) September 12, 2020
India has been under a strict lockdown since March 25 to curb the spread of the coronavirus. The blockade has been gradually easing since June. Rumors of another lockdown come amid a surge in coronavirus cases in the country. India is currently the second most affected country in the world and has recorded more than 48 lakh of infections. The country is also registering more than 90,000 daily cases in recent days.
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