Political rallies and Donald Trump's visit to India proves that the government did not adhere to COVID-19 advisories issued by the NDMA.
On 4 February 2020, the National Disaster Management Authority had issued its first guideline on travel, hygiene, avoiding crowd contact, and use of hand sanitisers and masks to prevent the spreading virus. Despite the advisory, Prime Minister Modi held an election rally in Dwarka on 4 February, and U.S. President Donald Trump was hosted in Gujarat by Modi on 24 February, without adhering to the NDMA guidelines. More than one lakh people attended the event.
On 5 March 2020, the NDMA issued another warning to chief secretaries of all states and UTs on steps to be taken regarding the disease. It stated that mass gatherings could be rescheduled or postponed and held after an adequate risk assessment and propagate strategy of social distancing. The Bharatiya Janata Party invited Jyotiraditya Scindia in Bhopal on 12 March along with thousands of the party workers who had gathered.
The Indian government strictly announced a complete lockdown of the entire country only on 24 March 2020 under the Disaster Management Act, 2005. This shows that the full implementation of the guidelines was undertaken weeks after they were issued.
The COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to a lot of potentially dangerous misinformation. For reliable advice on COVID-19 including symptoms, prevention and available treatment, please refer to the World Health Organisation or your national healthcare authority.
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