Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announces extension of lockdown until May 3, there may be some easing in restrictions in people’s transportation after one week to help the poor labors and those working in agriculture sector.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi In an address to the nation on radio and television on Tuesday said the lockdown will be eased only in areas which do not show any deterioration in the spread of corona virus.
He also said that India has paid a big economic price by imposing the lockdown, but it was much better placed than many other countries as it had acted quickly imposing travel and quarantine restrictions even before the first death was reported in the country. The lockdown and social distancing among people have worked in their favor.
The first phase of India’s three-week lockdown ends on Tuesday with more than 10,000 positive cases and 339 deaths so far with people restricted to their homes for all but essential trips to places like markets or pharmacies.
India has sealed hundreds of residential districts as containment zones across the country, ramping up a low rate of testing. Modi said all-out efforts are being made to ensure that no new hot spots emerged in the country.
