Coronavirus lockdown extended till 3 May; Modi urges people to look after senior citizens, poor, asks businesses to not downsize staff
FirstpostPrime Minister Narendra Modi announced the extension of the nationwide lockdown till 3 May in his address to the nation on the last day of the 21-day lockdown that was announced on 25 March to stem the spread of coronavirus Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the extension of the nationwide lockdown till 3 May in his address to the nation on the last day of the 21-day lockdown that was announced on 25 March to stem the spread of coronavirus. Modi further urged people to follow seven steps during the lockdown, including taking special care of senior citizens in the households, following lockdown restrictions and using face masks, helping the poor and giving due respect and credit to coronavirus “soldiers”, including doctors, nurses and sanitation workers. Lauding the country’s collective strength on BR Ambedkar’s birth anniversary, Modi said that the fight against the deadly virus is “going on very strongly”, with people saving the country despite facing difficulties. While talking of the major benefits resulting from the social distancing and lockdown, Modi said, “India may have paid a big economic price, but there can be no alternative to saving human lives.” The prime minister had held consultations with the chief ministers of all the states through video-conferencing on Saturday, during which talks were held over the need for extending the lockdown amid the rising number of coronavirus cases.