India’s COVID-19 lockdown: Coca-Cola, Nestle and more MNCs called for F&B manufacturing to be made ‘essential service’
In the wake of India’s nationwide lockdown due to COVID-19, Coca-Cola India, Nestle India and various other big MNCs in the country had called for F&B manufacturing to be made an ‘essential service’ in order to keep shelves stocked and avoid further panic.
India’s nationwide lockdown of some 1.3 billion people started at midnight on March 25 and was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi the evening of March 24 via a televised speech, barely four hours before the lockdown took effect, sending the country into a panic buying frenzy.
When the lockdown was announced, India had seen 536 COVID-19 cases and nine deaths – as of time of publishing, this number has already increased to 1,122 cases and 31 deaths.
"The entire country will be in lockdown, total lockdown,” Modi said.
“Seeing the present conditions, this lockdown will be for 21 days. This is to save India, save each citizen and save your family. Do not step outside your house. For 21 days, forget what is stepping outside.”
