According to reports, Indian PM Narendra Modi has now indicated that the lockdown in India may have to be extended. As the number of patients affected by COVID-19 keeps rising in various parts of the country, it seems like it is now the need of the hour to continue the lockdown. He is to speak to all Chief Ministers on April 11 regarding this.

India currently has 5916 patients affected by the COVID-19, and a total of 178 deaths. Earlier in the day, Delhi’s Bengali Market was sealed by the authorities. The PM stated that various experts and state governments are demanding an extension on the lockdown, so that might happen after April 14. Recently, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao favoured an extension on the lockdown, stating that while economic downfall can be recovered from, lives cannot be recovered.


PM Modi also emphasised on strict social distancing norms, also mentioning that it will not be easy to lift the lockdown all at once.

Meanwhile, Odisha has already extended its lockdown to April 30, and is the first state to do so. Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik addressed his state in a video. Odisha currently has 42 confirmed cases. In his statement, the Chief Minister said, “At this crucial juncture, one has to decide between protecting the lives of people and economic activity. We will recommend the Government of India to extend the national lockdown up to April 30. In addition to this, we will also request the Union Government not to start airline and railway services till April 30."