In a desperate move to contain the coronavirus, India, on Tuesday, extended the nationwide shutdown until May 3 as the number of infections crossed 10,000.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the measure was needed to stop the pandemic’s spread to new areas and urged people to maintain discipline during the lockdown that would keep 1.3 billion people indoors.
The lockdown was initially announced for 21 days starting March 25, but many Indian states were in favour of continuing it for some more time.
“It has been decided that the lockdown in India will have to be extended till May 3,” Modi said in a television address.
“We must not let the coronavirus spread to new areas at any cost,” he said.
Some restrictions may be relaxed after April 20 in places that are successful in combating the disease, the prime minister added.
India’s latest reported coronavirus positive cases were about 10,400 and the death toll was 358.
