To combat the spread of the coronavirus, the Indian government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced a 21-day lockdown.
While most Indians are following rules of social isolation, there are a few that are breaching the rules and venturing outdoors for non-essential works despite various directives given by the government. The police across the country, however, are extremely vigilant, dissuading such people from going out.
Rajesh Babu, a policeman in the south Indian city of Chennai has come up with a very innovative method to spread the message of the importance of staying indoors. The policeman wears a unique ‘Coronavirus Helmet’ to discourage people from stepping out.
An Indian traffic policeman has taken coronavirus awareness to new levels by hitting the streets clad in a newly-devised accessory: the ‘coronahelmet’ pic.twitter.com/Wh8loNzTfu
— Reuters (@Reuters) March 28, 2020
The helmet bears an uncanny resemblance to the coronavirus and has been designed by a local artist, Gowtham.
Talking to Asian News International, Rajesh Babu said: “We take all the steps, but still people come out on the streets. Therefore, this corona helmet is one of the steps we are taking to ensure that people are aware of the seriousness of the police. The helmet is an attempt to do something different.”
He also said that the response to this helmet has largely been positive.
“The public at large is not treating the COVID-19 situation seriously, whereas the police personnel are working round the clock to ensure people stay at home and do not venture out so that further spread of the disease can be stopped,” said Gowtham, the artist who designed the helmet.
“I came up with the idea and used a broken helmet and papers to prepare this. I have also prepared many placards displaying slogans and handed them over to the police,” he added.
What do you think about this novel way of making people stay home? Do let us know your views in the comments section below.
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