Modi puts all of India under lockdown for 21 days to fight coronavirus

India has so far reported 482 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and nine deaths

MUMBAI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday the government would impose a nationwide lockdown from midnight for 21 days to stem the spread of the coronavirus.

“There will be a total ban on venturing out of your homes,” Modi said in a televised address.

India has so far reported 482 confirmed cases of the coronavirus and nine deaths.

Health researchers have warned that more than a million people in India could be infected with coronavirus by mid-May, prompting the government to shut down all air and train travel, businesses and schools.

“The only way to save ourselves from coronavirus is if we don’t leave our homes, whatever happens, we stay at home,” Modi said in a second address in less than a week to try and rally around Indians behind the sweeping lockdown.

“India is today at such a stage, where our actions today will determine our ability to reduce the impact of this disaster,” Modi said, citing health officials and experts including the World Health Organisation (WHO).

More than 377,300 people have been infected by the coronavirus globally and 16,520 have died since it emerged in China, according to a Reuters tally.

China’s Wuhan where the virus emerged imposed a two-month lockdown which is only being eased.

Across South Asia, home to a quarter of the world’s population, authorities are scrambling to raise their defences as the virus spreads.

(With input from News Desk)