India will remain under lockdown until 3 May, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Tuesday, extending prohibitory measures by another 19 days.
The PM also said, from 20 April, based on extensive scrutiny, a conditional withdrawal of the lockdown will be permitted in areas where the spread has either been contained or prevented.
Acknowledging the sacrifices made by the citizens, the prime minister said there will be a greater focus on the hotspots, including those where infection rate could escalate.
‘Growth in hotspots will create fresh challenges. Hence in the next one week we will step up our fight; till 20 April the scrutiny of the entire country will be stepped up,’ Modi said. ‘In areas where hotspots do not manifest and in those which have contained them, we can consider a conditional withdrawal of lockdown.’
Acknowledging the sacrifices made by the citizens, the prime minister said there will be a greater focus on the hotspots, including those where infection rate could escalate.
‘Growth in hotspots will create fresh challenges. Hence in the next one week we will step up our fight; till 20 April the scrutiny of the entire country will be stepped up,’ Modi said. ‘In areas where hotspots do not manifest and in those which have contained them, we can consider a conditional withdrawal of lockdown.’