Coronavirus updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi puts India under complete lockdown for next 21 days starting from midnight to tackle the COVID-19 disease in India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday announced a complete lockdown across the country for three weeks starting from midnight tonight to stave off the menace of novel coronavirus (COVID-19). "In the view of the current situation, the nationwide complete lockdown will be in place for 21 days," the Prime Minister declared in his second address to the nation in a week.

"If we are not able to manage the upcoming 21 days, we will be pushed back by 21 years," PM Modi warned, adding that "this is applicable for everyone, including the Prime Minister." He said there will be a complete bar on people from stepping outside their homes and made a fervent appeal to the countrymen not to cross the 'lakshman rekha' of their homes in the next three weeks.

His second address comes as India has witnessed a spurt in the number of COVID-19 cases in the past few days. As per the latest briefing by the Health Ministry, the total number of cases has crossed 500, including 39 who have recovered and nine deaths.

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PM announces 21-day lockdown across India. (Illustration: Vishnu Ram)

Welcoming the move, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said the list of essential services will remain unchanged since the March 22nd 'Janata Curfew'. "As we move towards a 21-day coronavirus lockdown, PM Narendra Modi has ensured that all essential services shall continue and remain functional. Please spread the message that the list of essential services remains unchanged since the March 22nd 'Janta Curfew'," Vardhan tweeted.

As we move towards a 21-day #CoronavirusLockdown ,PM @narendramodi ji has ensured that all essential services shall continue & remain functional.

Pls spread the message that the List of essential services remains unchanged since the March 22nd 'Janta Curfew' #IndiaFightsCorona pic.twitter.com/KdyBm4EcXQ — Dr Harsh Vardhan (@drharshvardhan) March 24, 2020

Later, PM Modi tweeted that there was no need to panic and that essential commodities, including medicines, would be available. "Centre and various state governments will work in close coordination to ensure this," he said in his tweet.

My fellow citizens, THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO NEED TO PANIC. Essential commodities, medicines etc. would be available. Centre and various state governments will work in close coordination to ensure this. Together, we will fight COVID-19 and create a healthier India. Jai Hind! — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 24, 2020

In his address, PM Modi also emphasised the importance of social distancing in tackling COVID-19. "Social distancing is the only option to stay safe and to stop the coronavirus -- stay at a distance from each other and stay inside your houses," he said.

Complete lockdown in India for 21 days from midnight: Key takeaways from PM’s address on COVID-19

This lockdown, the Prime Minister said, would be in a way a curfew and would be more stringent than Janta Curfew. "We may have to pay a financial cost for this lockdown but it is important for the safety of people."