Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address the nation at 10 a.m. as an extension to the 21-day lockdown, which was to end today, becomes inevitable.
With Covid-19 infections in India growing at an increasingly higher pace and fatalities rising, Modi’s administration was faced with a tough choice of whether or not to extend the lockdown that has upended the domestic economy.
Several chief ministers recommended a two-week extension of the lockdown at their meeting with Modi on Saturday. Soon after the meeting, several chief ministers shared their views on social media regarding the need for additional financial support from the centre, more testing kits and protective gear for healthcare employees , as well as financial assistance for those worst affected by the lockdown.
Besides, some states including Odisha, Punjab, Maharashtra and Telangana have already extended lockdowns in their regions, either across their state or in a graded fashion.
Follow live updates from the prime minister’s address here.
