Health Minister Harsh Vardhan slams 'virus to vanish after Janta Curfew' misinformation

Amid outbreak of COVID-19 across country, Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan pointed out towards spread of misinformation around pandemic. He said that some 'anti-social elements' have been exhorting people to come outdoors post conclusion of Janta Curfew at 9 PM on Sunday with misinformation. Abolishing false information, Health Minister urged people to practice social distancing as a habit. 

He said, "Some anti-social elements are spreading misinformation that after today's Janta Curfew ends, deadly virus will be wished away. y're exhorting people to come outdoors after 9 PM. This is false and an attempt to mislead people. Social distancing must be adopted as a habit." 

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Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Techlogy on Friday issued an advisory directed at all social media platforms urging m to curb spread of false news regarding coronavirus on ir platforms.
"Under Section 79 of IT Act, social media platforms, which are intermediaries in legal terms, must inform ir users t to host, display, upload, modify, publish, transmit, update or share any information that may affect public order," advisory reads.

" social media platforms are urged to initiate awareness campaigns on ir platforms for users t to circulate any false news regarding coronavirus. y should take immediate action to disable or remove such content hosted on ir platforms on a priority basis. y should promote dissemination of auntic information related to coronavirus," adds advisory.

Lockdown in 75 districts 

Centre and state governments have decided to anunce a lockdown in 75 districts across country where coronavirus cases have been reported, officials said on Sunday. It has also decided to suspend inter-state bus services till March 31, y said. decisions have been taken at a high-level meeting attended by chief secretaries of all States and Cabinet Secretary and Principal Secretary to Prime Minister.

In view of need to contain spread of COVID 19, it was agreed that re is an urgent need to extend restrictions on movement of n-essential passenger transport including inter-state transport buses till March 31, 2020, a home ministry official said. State governments will issue orders allowing only essential services to operate in about 75 districts with confirmed COVID 19 cases or casualties, official said.

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(With ANI inputs)