PM Modi's Address To Nation At 8 PM Today, Will Lockdown Be Extended For The Fourth Time?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be addressing the nation at 8 PM this evening. He had hinted in the meeting with Chief Ministers of all states that the nationwide lockdown may be extended for the fourth time.

PM Modi's address to nation today. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP)

New Delhi: The Prime Minister will be addressing the nation at 8 PM this evening. The country is currently in the third phase of a lockdown or lockdown 3.0. The 54-day nationwide lockdown since March 25 to contain the spread of coronavirus is scheduled to end on May 17. Yesterday, the Prime Minister had held a six-hour-long all CM meet to access the coronavirus situation in the country. It was hinted in the meeting that there might a fourth lockdown with further ease in restrictions. The PM had said, “I am of the firm view that the measures needed in the first phase of lockdown were not needed during the 2nd phase and similarly the measures needed in the 3rd Phase are not needed in the fourth.” He also asked the stated to give a blueprint from by May 15 on a broad strategy on how to deal with various nuances during & after the gradual easing of lockdown.  He also stressed the need for, maintaining social distancing till a vaccine is not found and especially as the country looks at a gradual withdrawal of the lockdown. Also Watch: Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address the nation tonight at 8 PM The PMO announced the address to the nation and it was also tweeted. Since it comes a day after the meeting and it is anticipated that it might be related to the future of the lockdown. In his March 19 address, the prime minister announced a "janta curfew" on March 22. On March 24, he announced a 21-day nationwide lockdown. On April 14, he extended the lockdown period till May 3. On April 3, in a video message, Modi asked the nation to light lamps for frontline corona warriors on April 5. The lockdown was further extended till May 17 by the Home Ministry. Also Watch: Lockdown 4.0 may be on PM's agenda for tonight's address