Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; March 27, 2020)

With two children in the household — seven-year-old son Viaan and the newborn Samisha — Shilpa Shetty Kundra is taking no chances when it comes to safety and hygiene in the wake of the Coronavirus outbreak. The actress is especially careful about her baby girl, who entered the world on February 15.

Yesterday (March 26), when Samisha turned 40 days old, Shilpa shared on her social media page, “Samisha Shetty Kundra completes 40 days today. The first milestone for a mother and child, revered in Hinduism… Ideally, as a ritual we would have stepped out of the house for the FIRST time and taken her to a temple for blessings, but as things stand today don’t have that option. Hence, will seek blessings at our mandir at home. It only makes me realise that there are so many other things we should be grateful for even if some things don’t go as per plan. So, for the next 20 days, I’m going to document one thing that I’m grateful for EVERY DAY. Starting with TODAY, I’m so grateful for just having a healthy family by my side. Let’s use this time to thank the universe for all the wonderful things and daily manifest positivity in our lives.... (sic).”

A couple of days ago, Shilpa had told BT that she does not allow anyone coming from outside to go near her daughter. “The precautionary measures we’re following at home are simple and basic, but they are being followed strictly. Apart from the 24-hour-staff, everyone has been given mandatory leave. They will resume only after there is a directive from the state government, withdrawing the lockdown. I’m making sure that no one, who has come from outside, is going into my baby’s room. Anyone stepping out and coming into the house has to sanitise their hands. Also, I don’t let anyone into my child’s room without cleaning themselves completely, head to toe. Her room is cleaned thoroughly, twice a day, everyday,” says the possessive mommy.

When asked about Viaan, the actress admitted that keeping school-going children engaged indoors is a task. She said, “Viaan is attending virtual classes every day. Apart from that, he has no outdoor activities or playdates. It’s difficult to keep the child engaged in something all day, as their energy levels are high and you have to find new ways to channelise it correctly. Though he doesn’t step out, he has to bathe twice. As a responsible elder brother, he sets an example for everyone by sanitising his hands each time he goes near Samisha. As conscientious parents, we have to avoid playdates to safeguard children, ours and others’.”