Bengaluru: These are indeed difficult times. The coronavirus pandemic has spread far and wide, forcing us to stay indoors. 

It has affected lakhs together and killed thousands. 

Now, latest reports are that more than a quarter of American population will be under a state of semi-lockdown with orders from governors of four states in the weekend. 

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, California Governor Gavin Newsom, Governors of Illinois and Connecticut have ordered restrictions and tough regulations. 

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy too might follow suit, reports added. 

The populations in the four states amount to 88 million in the nation of 328 million. 

Meanwhile, a person working in the office of Vice President Mike Pence, who is heading the Coronavirus Task Force, has tested positive for the disease, his spokesperson Katie Miller said on Friday night, as reported by a website. 

As part of the lockdown, it is only the essential services that will be working. Schools and other education institutions will be shut. 

The number of coronavirus cases reported in the US is now 19,101.

Back home in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged for a Janata curfew. 

More on Janata curfew: 

In his televised address to the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged his countrymen not to panic but be more cautious in dealing with the Coronavirus spread.

Using the concepts of restraint and resolve, the Prime Minister urged the citizens for a self-imposed curfew called the Janata curfew. As part of this exercise, citizens who are not a part of essential services like police, medicine etc would stay at home from 7 am to 9 pm on March 22, this Sunday.

The same evening at 5pm, the PM has urged the people to express their gratitude those medical staff who have been working tirelessly amid the dangers of the virus to help patients.

The Prime Minister’s exhortation for such an endeavour has received tremendous response from all quarters. People have understood the importance of such a move and are willing to participate in it.