India extended the ongoing lockdown till May 3 to contain the spread of COVID-19 on Tuesday (14).
The 21-day lockdown was due to end on April 14. With the extension, the country will be under lockdown for 40 days.
In his address to the nation, prime minister Narendra Modi said that the lockdown norms, to be enforced strictly for the next one week, could be relaxed for localities that do not have a single case from April 20.
The government will meticulously track the enforcement of lockdown and spread of the disease right down to the police station level, Modi said.
He asked people to step up too, describing the next one week as an agni pariksha, or trial by fire.
“Localities that pass this agni pariksha and do not allow the disease to spread, can get permission for some essential activities,” Modi said in his third in a month.
“But remember that this permission will be conditional. If lockdown rules are violated and coronavirus spreads, all permissions will be cancelled. So you should not be negligent nor let others be negligent," prime minister said.
He added that the relaxation was being proposed to enable the poor to earn their daily livelihood.
Modi announced a nationwide lockdown on March 24 when India had reported 536 cases and 10 deaths.
While addressing the nation, Modi wore a home-made mask which he removed moments before speaking.
Now, India has 10,363 COVID-19 patients and the disease killed 339.
Modi also spoke about the crucial role the lockdown had played to slow down the spread of the disease. But he acknowledged it had come at a price.
“I respectfully bow to the people of India for their sacrifice” Modi said.
"But these sacrifices had helped save lives and placed India in a much better position than many other countries fighting coronavirus".
