MAM
Nationwide lockdown a bold move but needs economic boosters
NEW DELHI: The highly-contagious and lethal novel coronavirus, Covid-19, has got the whole world on its knees. With 435,382 global cases and 19,620 deaths (at the time of writing, the virus has forced governments across the globe to take some challenging decisions like locking down whole cities and countries. Indian prime minister, Narendra Modi, on Sunday announced a complete lockdown across the country, which has got praises from industry experts.
According to Dentsu Aegis Network CEO APAC and chairman India Ashish Bhasin, the move, which has jolted several Indians into action, will definitely promote Modi’s image as a strong and decisive leader. He notes, “There were countries like the US that were in complete denial but all of a sudden, there were 50,000 cases, half of which were in New York, and there the life continued normally for a long time. But later, they were forced to go into a lockdown. It’s better that we do it now and flatten the curve. It actually saves lives.”
Publicis India MD and CCO Ajay Gahlaut, however, feels that the decision could have come a little earlier. “In hindsight, a little earlier would have been better. But I feel that he came at a very keen time and let people know that the virus is very serious as what is more important right now is the application of social isolation. Now it is to be seen how effectively will it be implemented.”
Brand-nomics managing director Viren Razdan says that there are some inadequacies that this bold move might be trying to cover right now, but will surface soon. “With the global chaos and confusion around the COVID-19, India’s move to lockdown would perhaps be seen as bold and decisive. But as we scratch the surface, one shudders to think the inadequacies this bold move is attempting to cover up. We have taken a huge economic gamble – if it saves us the health hit, that would be great but if we are left exposed despite this bold move, we would have very little to help us cover."
He adds, “Tough times require tough action. While PM Modi has asked of the country ‘a few weeks of your lives’, it's imperative to reciprocate with economic boosters which would travel down to all levels of our society. Repeatedly the government has been requesting enterprise to support their staff – but in the downturn we were already in, it's the enterprise that would need an arm around their shoulder with some solid actions."
Bhasin also feels that government will have to come ahead and help the marginalised section of the society to deal with the pandemic. “The impact on the economy will last much longer, with the production shut down. It is not like we will just switch the factories on and it gets normal the next day. A number of people in India are living at the marginal level and consumption has virtually stopped beyond essential items. It is not a good news for the economy. I am hopeful that this government will bring some stimulus, particularly to alleviate the suffering of the lowest strata of the society.”
Despite the economic consequences, businesses are following the lockdown as health comes first.
Shopclues CEO Sanjay Sethi says, “We fully support the prime minister’s decision to lockdown the nation for 21 days to avoid a surge in the spread of the novel corona virus pandemic. We are following all advisories issued by the government and are working closely with our teams to provide goods and services that our customers need at a time like this. We are able and ready to provide contactless daily essentials to the Indian public.”
He also welcomed the tax and other benefits introduced by finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman just ahead of Modi’s address. “In view of the current coronavirus pandemic, we welcome the steps taken by our finance minister to allay the rising concerns of the business community in India. Extending the March-April-May GST returns and composition returns deadlines till 30 June, postponing e-invoicing and new returns announced earlier, reduction in interest rates for delayed deposits of TDS — all these steps will enable companies to concentrate on restarting their business processes once the dust settles in the future.”
KidZania India marketing director Tarandeep Singh Sekhon said, “Difficult times call for difficult decisions. And, I completely stand by this lock down initiative. We need to act now for a better tomorrow. We should understand that it is for our better, and at the same time do not panic. Prevention is better than cure.”
New York Burrito Company founder Senil Shah adds, “On the business end, everything will be shut. So there will be a complete loss. Two major fixed costs are rentals and salary. On rentals, we are trying to reduce it. On the salary front, we are not firing any of our guys, as we believe to stand with them in this crucial time. But overall we are positive on the front that when the restaurant industry opens up there will be a spike in sales as so many people who are addicted to eating out are waiting to eat out.”
Teabox founder-CEO Kausshal Dugarr notes, “The current situation has affected us as it has many other businesses as well. We see this more as a supply disruption rather than it disrupting the demand side. However, our category is perennial and we do not see a huge dip in demand. Given the unpredictability and uncertainty that is laid before us, we are taking the necessary steps to reduce overheads and extend our working capital among other things. Embracing an optimistic attitude, we believe and we see ourselves coming out much stronger once the dust settles."
Ontological coach and author Geeta Ramakrishnan says, "This I assume must be a difficult decision for the prime minister and I am in total agreement. COVID -19 pandemic is not to be taken lightly. Especially we have examples of countries like China, Italy and the US to learn from. This 21-day lockdown will hopefully break the exponential growth chain and help our health care resources and system to be better prepared and manage the virus outbreak much better. Yes, it will not be easy and can cause a lot of inconvenience and an economic turmoil which I can’t even fathom. I pray that all my fellow citizens respect their safety and that of all Indians and think this is a small price to pay for the sake of the safety of all our lives."
When you plan to buy medical insurance for your family, the first question is often about savings. You may assume that buying online automatically means paying less, but that is only part of the picture. The real issue is not just whether the premium looks lower, but whether the policy gives you suitable family health insurance without adding avoidable costs later.
Buying online can sometimes appear more budget-friendly because you can compare plans, review features, and complete the process without depending entirely on offline assistance.
Still, a lower visible price does not always mean better value. To understand whether you can truly save more, you need to look at the full buying experience and the policy terms together.
Why Online Purchase Can Look More Economical
When you explore family health insurance online, you usually get access to plan details in a more direct and organised way. This can make the buying journey feel simpler and more transparent.
A few reasons online purchases may seem cost-effective include:
● Easier comparison of policy features
● Direct access to premium details
● The ability to review inclusions and exclusions at your own pace
● Fewer chances of making a rushed decision
● More control over the plan selection process
This does not mean every online option is automatically cheaper. It simply means the online route may help you assess choices more carefully, and that itself can influence how much value you get from the policy you choose.
Saving Money is Not Only About a Lower Premium
A lower premium often catches your attention first, but that should not be the only measure of savings. If you buy medical insurance based only on what looks affordable at the start, you may overlook conditions that matter later.
A family health insurance policy should be judged on overall value, including:
● The scope of cover
● Waiting period terms
● Exclusions
● Room eligibility conditions
● Sub-limits, if any
● Claim-related terms
● Renewal conditions
If the premium is lower but the policy has stricter internal conditions, the apparent saving may not feel meaningful when you actually need hospitalisation support.
So, the better question is not only whether online purchase costs less, but whether it helps you select a plan that remains financially sensible over time.
Comparing Plans Online Can Prevent Overspending
One clear advantage of the online route is that it allows you to compare different options without pressure. This can help you avoid paying for features you may not need or missing features that matter for your family.
Before you buy medical insurance online, look closely at:
● Who can be covered under the plan
● How the sum insured works for the family
● Whether day care procedures are included
● How pre-existing illness rules are explained
● Whether add-ons are optional or built in
● How clearly the policy wording is presented
This level of comparison can support better decision-making. In many cases, savings come not only from the premium itself but from choosing a policy with fewer surprises.
Online Discounts Should be Viewed Carefully
Online discounts can make a plan look attractive, but they should always be read alongside the policy details. A discount may reduce the upfront cost, yet the true worth of the policy depends on what it covers and how it responds during a claim.
When reviewing discounted online plans, check whether the policy has:
● Treatment-specific limits
● Room rent restrictions
● Co-payment clauses
● Disease-wise waiting periods
● Claim deductions linked to the hospital category
● Limited cover for selected benefits
These points are important because a policy that looks cheaper at purchase may involve more out-of-pocket spending later. That is why discount-led buying should be replaced with detail-led buying.
Final Thoughts
Yes, buying online can sometimes help you save more when choosing family health insurance, but only if you look beyond the headline price. The online route may give you better visibility, easier comparison, and more time to review the policy terms.
That can support smarter choices and may reduce the chances of paying for a plan that does not suit your family well.
If you want to buy medical insurance online, treat savings as more than a discount. The real advantage lies in choosing family health insurance that balances affordability, clarity, and meaningful coverage for your household.
