India set to extend nationwide lockdown to control spread of coronavirus

The world’s biggest lockdown was due to end on Tuesday but Covid-19 infections continue to rise, with New Delhi and Mumbai emerging as hotspots

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a video conference call with several ministers

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A health worker checks the body temperature of a man entering a hospital in New Delhi, India, as the country extends its nationwide lockdown to contain the spread of Covid-19. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 7:26pm, 11 Apr 2020Updated: 8:08pm, 11 Apr 2020

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has decided to extend a nationwide lockdown to tackle the spread of the coronavirus, the Delhi state’s chief minister said on Saturday, with reports indicating the extension will be until April 30.

Earlier in the day, Modi held a video conference call with several state ministers to decide on the future course as the current 21-day lockdown ends on Tuesday. No announcement has been made, with officials saying Modi may only make a statement on Sunday.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said Modi had “taken [a] correct decision to extend [the] lockdown”, without sharing further details.

A family watches Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to the nation on the coronavirus lockdown. Photo: AFP

“Today, India’s position is better than many developed countries because we started lockdown early. If it is stopped now, all gains would be lost,” Kejriwal said on Twitter.

The number of coronavirus infections in India rose to 7,447 on Saturday, with the capital city New Delhi and financial hub Mumbai fast emerging as hotspots. There have been 239 deaths.

Several states had urged Modi to extend the lockdown, even amid rising concerns that the restrictions have put millions of poor people out of work and forced an exodus of migrant workers from cities to villages.

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