NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Monday said everyone needs to be ready for the impact of coronavirus outbreak on the country's economy as business activities have come to a standstill.
He said the country's economic situation looks "grim" and according to experts, the GDP would come down to two per cent.
Taking to Facebook for a live interaction with people of the state, the former Union minister asked citizens to stop unnecessary expenditures and stay at home to contain the spread of the deadly viral infection.
"We should be ready to brace the impact of looming economic crisis over the country as all types of business activities are suspended. People need to do away with their unnecessary spending habit for the next coming weeks as the country's economic situation looks grim," he said.
"I also appeal to people to stay at home and prevent the spread of coronavirus infection. Otherwise, police will have to use force to keep them indoors," he said.
To a question from a Facebook user on the economic crisis, Pawar replied, "Almost all types of business activities have come to at standstill. This situation will have a long lasting impact on our economy. Experts have said our GDP would come down to mere two per cent."