Avoid handshakes, start greeting with 'Namaste': Modi on coronavirus outbreak
He asked people to avoid handshakes and start greeting others with "namaste" once again
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday urged people to get into the habit of greeting each other with a "namaste" instead of a regular handshake as one of the measures to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.
He has also asked people to stay away from rumours regarding coronavirus and emphasised on the need to follow the advice of doctors in this regard, reported NDTV.
"The whole world is making a habit of namaste. If for some reason we have given up this habit, then instead of joining hands, it is also the right time to reintroduce this habit," the Prime Minister said, reported Hindustan Times.
PM Modi was interacting with owners of Jan Aushadhi Kendras and beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojna (PMBJP) through video conference.
"I appeal to my fellow countrymen to stay away from rumours regarding coronavirus," he said.
We need to follow the advice of doctors in this regard, he said.
Talking about the impact of the PMBJP initiative, he said every month, over one crore families are getting benefits of cheap medicines from these Jan Aushadhi Kendras.
Over 6,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras across the country have helped people save between Rs2,000-2,500crore, he added.