Bengaluru, Mar 22 (IANS): In a fervent appeal, Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa has asked the people across the southern state to stay home from 7 a.m to 9 p.m on Sunday to contain the spread of the dreadful coronavirus.

"To set an example, I will stay at home in the city throughout Sunday and monitor the situation. I appeal to the people to also abide by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call to remain in their homes across the state to combat the communicable diseases," said the 76-year-old Yediyurappa in a statement here.

Recalling Modi's televised address to the people across the country on Thursday on staying at home on Sunday, the chief minister said the state government had been able to contain the infectious virus so far with the cooperation of the people.

"As per the prime minister's clarion call for a janata (people's) curfew, don't come out of your homes on streets even after 9pm on Sunday as the purpose of the 14-hour lockdown is to contain the spread of the virus," Yediyurappa asserted.

Reiterating that coming out of homes after the public curfew ends would nullify the efforts of the government to minimise the fallout of the disease, the chief minister advised the citizens to remain indoor and stay with their near and dear ones.

"Appear through home windows or balcony/porticos or rooftops at 5pm to join all the countrymen in applauding the selfless service of doctors, nurses and other healthcare stakeholders in fighting the virus with claps and cheers," he added.