Rajnath Singh asks armed forces to ramp up efforts to check spread of coronavirus

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday asked the armed forces, defence public sector undertakings and other military organisations to provide all possible assistance to civilian authorities in their efforts to halt the spread of coronavirus in the country.

He issued the directive while chairing a high-level meeting to review overall preparedness of the defence ministry in containing the spread of the coronavirus which has infected over 600 and killed at least 10 people in India so far.

India is under a 21-day lockdown from Tuesday midnight as part of efforts to check COVID-19.

In the meeting, Mr Singh appreciated the proactive role played by the armed forces and various departments of the defence ministry in evacuating Indian nationals as well as foreigners from coronavirus- affected countries and ensuring their proper care at various quarantine facilities.