The city of Chennai in south-eastern India was deserted after millions stay home during the quarantine that has been issued by authorities amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

Footage from March 22 shows deserted roads in the city as many stayed indoors to prevent the highly infectious disease from spreading.

The country's Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for the voluntary "Janata Curfew" on Sunday that is imposed from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Busy roads and cities across the country wore a deserted look on Sunday as millions across the country stayed in to counter the threat from the highly contagious COVID-19, a disease spread by the Novel Coronavirus, which has disrupted economies and killed thousands across the world. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday called for the 14-hour "Janata curfew" or self-imposed quarantine from 7 am to 9 pm to break the chain of coronavirus infections, which the World Health Organisation (WHO) says spread through person-to-person contact and respiratory droplets. People kept themselves indoors as part of the social distancing exercise to help stop the spread of the virus during the 14-hour ‘Janata curfew’ from 7 am and stayed till 9 pm on Sunday.


Prime Minister Narendra Modi also appealed to the citizens to show gratitude to doctors, paramedics, police and other personnel associated with essential services when the country was observing an unprecedented 'Janta Curfew' on Sunday to check the spread of the virus. With bells, plates, claps, conch shells, and in some cases even crackers, people across the country on Sunday evening expressed appreciation for medical and other staff who are on the frontline of the battle against the coronavirus. From children to the elderly, common people to VIPs, all came out in balconies, lawns, and terrace of their homes as the clock struck five.

Several public services, including the Railways and metro services, are halted today during the public curfew. All markets and establishments except those dealing in essential goods and services were closed for the day.Covid-19 cases in India rose to 370 on Sunday after more than 60 fresh cases were reported in various parts of the country.