New Delhi: The central government is expected to take a final call on whether there is a need to extend the lockdown or not on Monday (April 13), a day before the 21-day lockdown to check the spread of the coronavirus COVID-19 ends and the decision will be made public on Tuesday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be addressing the nation on Tuesday at 10 am which is the last day of the 21-day nationwide lockdown.


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A post from the official Twitter handle of PMO read, "PM Narendra Modi will address the nation at 10 am on Tuesday."



In a meeting held between PM Modi and state Chief Ministers through video conference last week, at least 10 CMs reportedly strongly advocated for an extension of the ongoing shutdown to control the spread of coronavirus infection. While some Chief Ministers advised the Prime Minister to extend it 'at least for the rest of April', some advocated 'caution', in case he decides against extending it.


In his address to the nation on March 24, the Prime Minister had announced the 21-day lockdown in the country to contain the spread of coronavirus.


During a meeting last week, several Chief Ministers had suggested to the Centre that an extension of the lockdown may be considered amid surging coronavirus cases across the country. 


States likes Odisha, Punjab and Maharashtra have already extended the lockdown period by almost a fortnight April end while Uttar Pradesh sealed all hotspots in at least 15 districts in the state till April 30.


A health ministry data on Sunday revealed that the COVID-19 has spread to at least 80 more districts across the country in merely four days; whereas it present, as many as 364 districts have cases of coronavirus infections. 


As of April 6, 284 districts of the country had reported cases of coronavirus. While on April 2, 211 districts in the country had COVID-19 infections.