• By Aalok Sensharma
  • Tue, 14 Apr 2020 12:00 AM (IST)
  • Source:JND
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New Delhi | Jagran News Desk: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation at 10 am on April 14, i.e. the last day of the 21-day lockdown in the country, said the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) in a tweet on Monday afternoon.

It is expected that the Prime Minister might announce an extension of the lockdown till April 30. However, it is expected that he might also announce about some measures to restart the economy.

"Prime Minister @narendramodi will address the nation at 10 AM on 14th April 2020," the PMO tweeted.

Last week, PM Modi held a video conference with all the chief ministers of the states and agreed upon the decision to extend the lockdown.

In his meeting with the chief ministers, PM Modi stressed on the need of 'social distancing', saying it was the only way to control the spread of COVID-19. He also emphasised the criticality of coming three-four weeks for determining the impact of the steps taken till now to contain the virus, adding that teamwork is the key to facing the challenge.

"Jaan hai to jahan hai. When I had addressed the nation I had said that to save life of every citizen, lockdown and social distancing are very important. Most of the people understood this and stayed at home," PM Modi told the chief ministers, as reported by news agency ANI.

After the meeting, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted that PM Modi has decided to extend the lockdown till April 30 to contain the spread of the dreadful infection.

Also Read | Centre likely to divide country in red, orange, green zones during extended lockdown, all you need to know about the 3 categories

"PM has taken the correct decision to extend lockdown. 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. To consolidate, it is important to extend it," Kejriwal tweeted.

The 21-day lockdown, which was enforced in the country to control the spread of the novel coronvirus, ends on Tuesday. Since the COVID-19 outbreak in the country, PM Modi has addressed the nation three times.

In his first address on March 19, PM Modi had called for resolve and restraint to fight coronavirus. He had also announced a 'janta curfew' on March 22, a Sunday.

Then on March 24, PM Modi announced about the 21-day nationwide lockdown. On April 3, he then shared a video message and appealed people to switch off the lights at their homes and light up lamps, candles or mobile phone torches for nine minutes at 9 pm on April 5 to display the country's "collective resolve" to defeat the coronavirus.