The COVID-19 lockdown led to the shutting down of shops, factories, malls, offices, restaurants and even halted Mumbai’s lifeline, the local trains. The Maximum City, however, fought and survived the pandemic as residents remained inside their homes.

Janata curfew

The Janata Curfew was a 14-hour curfew on March 22 (from 7 am to 9 pm). Every person was required to obey the curfew, with exceptions for people of "essential services" such as police, medical services, media, home delivery professionals and firefighters. At 5 pm that day, all citizens were asked to stand at their doorways, balconies or windows, and clap or ring their bells in appreciation for the professionals delivering the essential services. Mumbai saw an overwhelming response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s request of coming together and clapping, banging thalis and ringing bells to thank those helping curb the spread of coronavirus. The Maharashtra government also issued an advisory to private hospitals asking them to postpone non-emergency services and prepare isolation wards. The Mumbai local was also halted for the first time in its history till March 31.