New Delhi, Mar 21 (IANS): The government on Saturday wrote to all states and Union Territories asking them to allow those involved in essential services to venture out of home.

Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla in his letter to the state governments and the Union Territories said, "As you are aware that Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his address to the nation to combat Covid-19 requested all citizens to observe Janata Curfew on Sunday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. During this curfew, no one, apart from those involved with essential services, is supposed to venture out of home."

Highlighting the points mentioned by the Prime Minister in his special address to nation on Thursday, the Home Secretary said there are many brave people who are in the forefront of fighting the Covid-19 pandemic like medical staff, police, government servants, airline staff, media persons, bus or trains or auto operators and those involved in providing home delivery.

"To pay gratitude for their selfless service to the nation during such trying times, Prime Minister has desired that on Sunday at 5 p.m. all citizens should acknowledge and salute their efforts by standing in the balconies or at doors of their houses and clap or ring bells for five minutes as a show of appreciation," he said.

He also said that all the states and union territories are, therefore, requested to widely disseminate the message of Prime Minister to the community at large.