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New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on  April 14, 2020, announced that the current lockdown will be extended till May 3 saying it is very necessary to contain the spread of Coronavirus pandemic in the country. PM Modi, in a televised address to the nation, said implementation of the lockdown will be strictly ensured in coming days to ensure that the virus does not spread to new areas. The prime minister said detailed guidelines on implementation of the lockdown-2  will be announced on April 15, 2020. Some relaxations may be allowed after April 20 at places where there is no hotspot, he said.

“India’s fight against the Corona global pandemic is moving ahead with great strength and steadfastness. I am well aware of the problems you have faced -some for food, some for movement from place to place, and others for staying away from homes and families. However, for the sake of your country, you are fulfilling your duties like a disciplined soldier. This is the power of ‘We, the People of India’ that our constitution talks about,”  the PM said. The lockdown that came into effect on March 25 was to expire on midnight of April 14, 2020.

PM Modi said, ” Long before we had even a single case of Corona, India had started screening travellers coming in from Corona affected countries at airports. Much before the number of Corona patients reached 100, India had made 14-day isolation mandatory for all those coming in from abroad. Malls, clubs and gyms were shut down in many places. When we had only 550 Corona cases, then itself India had taken the big step of a 21-day complete lockdown. India did not wait for the problem to aggravate. Rather, we attempted to nip the problem in the bud itself, by taking quick decisions as soon as it arose.”

He said that in such a crisis it is not right to compare our situation with any other country. However, it is also true that if we look at Corona-related figures in the world’s big, powerful countries, India today is in a very well-managed position. A month and a half ago, several countries had been at par with India in terms of Corona infection, he said. But today, Corona cases in those countries are 25 to 30 times than that of India. Thousands of people have tragically died in those countries. “Had India not adopted a holistic and integrated approach, taking quick and decisive action; the situation in India today would have been completely different,” the PM added.

He said the country has greatly benefited from Social Distancing and Lockdown. ” From an economic only point of view, it undoubtedly looks costly right now; but measured against the lives of Indian citizens, there is no comparison itself. The path that India has taken within our limited resources has become a topic of discussion in the entire world today,” PM Modi said.

” I have been in continuous touch with the States on how the fight against Corona should progress in India. Everyone has suggested that the lockdown should be continued. Many States have, in fact, already decided and declared to continue the lockdown. Keeping all the suggestions in mind, it has been decided that the lockdown in India will have to be extended till May 3. That means until May 3, each and every one of us, will have to remain in the lockdown. During this time, we must continue maintaining discipline in the way we have been doing till now. A single new patient at even the smallest local level, should be a matter of concern for us. The tragic death of even a single patient from coronavirus, should increase our concern even further,” the PM said.

The PM said that we will have to keep a close and strict watch on the places which run the risk of becoming hot-spots. The creation of new hot-spots will further challenge our hard work and penance. Hence, let us extend the strictness and austerity in the fight against Corona for the upcoming one week.

” Until April 20, every town, every police station, every district, every state will be evaluated on how much the lockdown is being followed.The extent to which the region has protected itself from Coronavirus will be noted. Areas that will succeed in this litmus test, which will not be in the hot-spot category, and will have less likelihood to turn into a hot-spot; maybe allowed to open up select necessary activities from April 20,” the PM added.

“However, keep in mind, this permission will be conditional, and the rules for going out will be very strict. Permission will be withdrawn immediately if lockdown rules are broken, and spread of Coronavirus risked,” PM Modi said, according to a PIB release.