Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Tuesday termed coronavirus (Covid-19) as a major disaster which could lead to a serious slowdown in the economy.

The situation is already bad, and if it spreads further, then things will worsen, the Chief Minister said, as he warned of a severe slowdown in the post-Covid-19 environment.

Underlining the need to be fully prepared and take all possible precautions, Amarinder Singh said at a conclave here that while old habits, such as shaking hands, die hard, "we need to change".

The state government is taking all possible steps to combat the spread of the dreaded virus, but people have to realise the dangers it involves and take self-precaution, the Chief Minister stressed, appealing to people for strict adherence to the guidelines issued by the Government of India and the World Health Organization (WHO).