PM Modi extends India's Coronavirus lockdown till May 3; announces additional measures

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing nation on Tuesday, anunced that lockdown imposed in country will be extended till May 3. He said, "CMs of every State suggested that lockdown should be increased. Many states have already decided to increase lockdown. Keeping all suggestions in mind, it has been decided that lockdown in India will w have to be extended till May 3."

In his televised address, PM Modi said, "Till 20th April, all districts, localities, states will be closely monitored, as to how strictly y are implementing rms. States which will t let hotspots increase, y could be allowed to let some important activities resume, but with certain conditions."

Earlier, Prime Minister had on Saturday held consultations with Chief Ministers through video-conferencing, during which talks were held over need for extending lockdown furr after taking into consideration rising number of COVID-19 cases in country. During course of meeting, he had said that re seems to be a consensus amongst States on extension of lockdown by ar two weeks.

Prime Minister underlined that motto of government earlier was 'jaan hai to jahaan hai' but w it is 'jaan bhi jahaan bhi'. Odisha, Punjab, Maharashtra, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry have already anunced extension of lockdown.

In his address PM Modi also said, "If India would t have adopted a holistic and integrated approach, had it t been for quicker decisions, India's situation would have been different. But it is clear from experiences of past that path we have chosen is correct. nation has greatly benefitted from lockdown and social distancing."

PM Modi also said that people have gone through hardships to save India. "I kw how many difficulties you faced. I respectfully bow to people of India for ir sacrifice," he said.

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WATCH PM MODI's FULL ADDRESS HERE:

A total number of 10,363 cases of vel Coronavirus have been reported in India. So far, 339 people have succumbed to infection in country, while 1,035 patients have been cured. re are 8,988 active cases in country, according to Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

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READ | PM Modi extends India's Coronavirus lockdown till May 3; anunces additional measures