NEW DELHI, March 25 -- Addressing the nation for the second time in a week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on late Tuesday announced a countrywide lockdown for three weeks, restricting a population of over 1.3 billion indoors.
"India is at a stage where our actions today will help decide the impact of this disaster tomorrow. This is the time to observe a strict lockdown, a step outside of home can lead to the virus spread. Infected people often seem fine at first, they can infect hundreds within days," said Modi in a live telecast.
Modi also confirmed an allocation of USD19.6 billion package for coronavirus disease (Covid-19), to procure medical equipment and protective gear, testing facilities, personal protection equipment, intensive care...