On the appeal from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a ''Janata curfew'', people across Jammu region on Sunday stayed back at their homes to check the spread of coronavirus that has so far infected four persons in the Union territory.

In a related development, a Jammu-based English daily announced its decision to close its offices for the day in response to the Prime Minister''s call.

Jammu and other parts of the region, which are under virtual lockdown for the past couple of days, witnessed unprecedented response to the ''Janata curfew'' with residents preferring not to venture outside their homes to lend their support to the government''s efforts to fight the pandemic.

Police has blocked many roads by barbed wires and deployed its personnel in the main towns and vital thoroughfares across Jammu region as the administration led by Lieutenant Governor G C Murmu made repeated appeals to the people to ensure the success of the ''Janata curfew''.

Except those involved in delivery of essential services, nobody came out of their homes even in remote and far-off places understanding the threat due to coronavirus, an official said quoting reports from various district headquarters.

Roads and shopping malls in the national capital also wore a deserted look as people observed Janata Curfew and stayed indoors. The Delhi Police gave flowers to people who stepped out of their homes, requesting them to stay indoors. In some parts of the national capital, policemen also handed out masks and sanitisers to spread awareness about coronavirus.

Delhi, Jharkhand, Punjab and Nagaland declared a statewide lockdown while similar measures were announced in a number of districts in Bihar, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. Several states, including Maharashtra, Kerala, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand, had earlier imposed a partial or complete lockdown.

Taking preventive measures, India’s leading automakers, including Maruti Suzuki India, Mahindra & Mahindra and Honda Cars, announced suspension of manufacturing activities at their plants. On the other hand, Fiat also put restrictions on production in the country till the end of this month.