Lockdown Extended In India Till May 3; Key Points From PM Narendra Modi's Address

India Lockdown 2: It has been decided to extend lockdown till May 3, suggestions from various stakeholders including states and people have favoured extension of lockdown, said PM Modi.

Policemen check motorists at a checkpoint during a government-imposed nationwide lockdown as a preventive measure against the COVID-19 coronavirus, in Kolkata. PIC/AFP

New Delhi: As the nationwide lockdown imposed for three weeks to mitigate the transmission of novel coronavirus in India entered its last day on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation and said announced the extension of lockdown for next 19 days till May 3. The entire nation had been awaiting an announcement by Prime Minister on whether or not the lockdown will be extended.  The national lockdown announced by the prime minister is in place from March 25 in an unprecedented measure in the fight against COVID-19 and was scheduled to end on Tuesday. Now it will end on May 3. Here are the key takeaways from PM’s speech:

• India's fight against coronavirus is going on very strongly, says PM Modi in address to the nation. People have come together to save the country despite facing difficulties.
• This display of our collective strength is true tribute to B R Ambedkar on his birth anniversary.
• When India had 550 coronavirus cases, we went for a 21-day lockdown to prevent spread of the virus.
• When India had 550 coronavirus cases, we went for a 21-day lockdown to prevent spread of the virus.
• Social distancing and lockdown have given India a major benefit
• India may have paid a big economic price, but there can be no alternative to saving human lives.
• It has been decided to extend lockdown till May 3
• Suggestions from various stakeholders including states and people have favoured extension of lockdown.
• Fight against coronavirus will be made more stringent in next one week, new hotspots will create new crisis
• Some relaxations may be allowed after April 20 in places where there is no hotspot
• Government to come out with extensive guidelines on Wednesday, says PM
• There is adequate stock of medicines and ration
• PM seeks people's support in seven things, including taking care of elderly, maintaining social distancing and helping poor

  As expectations mounted that the prime minister may dwell on plans to restart economic activities in a graded manner, Tamil Nadu and Arunachal Pradesh on Monday formally announced an extension of the lockdown till April 30 taking to eight the number of states adopting this step. The other states are Odisha, Punjab, Maharashtra, Telangana, West Bengal and Karnataka. Must Read:  Coronavirus In India LIVE Updates: Lockdown Extended; Passenger Trains, Flights Suspended Till May 3 Nation To Face Lockdown Test, Relaxation For Covid 19 Free Regions After April 20 Lockdown Extended: Know PM Modi's 7-Point Special Appeal To People "Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation at 10am on 14th April 2020," the Prime Minister's Office(PMO) tweeted yesterday.