Dharamshala: Amidst news of a possible extension of the 21-day lockdown in India, President Dr Lobsang Sangay today urged all Tibetans to maintain social distancing, suspend any social or religious gatherings and adhere strictly to the directions issued by the Government of India.
Today marks the 101 days since WHO was notified of the first cases of what was later discovered as a novel coronavirus disease—COVID-19 from Wuhan, China. The entire world now is at a critical point in the fight against the virus. Coronavirus cases globally have crossed 1.4 million with a death toll at 85,522.
Speaking at the press briefing, President Dr Lobsang Sangay strongly advised every Tibetan to continue to stay home, act responsibly and strictly observe directions issued by the Indian government as he said the lockdown is expected to go on for atleast two more weeks.
The lockdown, he said, could be extended for a longer haul particularly in the Tibetan settlements across India where there are clusters of population and significant movements of people.
The President also specifically advised Tibetan monasteries to continue the suspension of all religious gatherings and strictly follow social distancing.
“Incidents such as the Nizamuddin religious gathering becoming the single biggest hotspot for coronavirus in India can not be repeated,” he said.
He further announced that the CTA Task Force committee charged with monitoring the coronavirus-related situations in Tibetans will provide all the necessary information via their weekly press briefings every Thursday on Tibet TV.
An emergency response committee has also been activated, comprising of secretaries of CTA departments, who regularly meet to review the situation and prepare a strategic response plan.
President Dr Sangay via the briefing applauded the services of the Settlement officers, the staff who are attending to the welfare of the people everyday and those at the CTA headquarters who are providing all necessary support to the public in this critical time.
He also appreciated the new online classes initiative of the Department of Education and encouraged parents and children to make best use of these resources.
To the youth and the rest, the President advised constructive use of time, indulging in health maintenance activities, meditation and spending more time with family and loved ones.