Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked the people of India to take the lockdown announced to control the spread of coronavirus seriously and duly follow instructions.

Taking note of some were not following instructions, PM Modi urged people to save themselves and their family by following the instructions seriously. "Many people are still not taking the lockdown seriously. Please save yourself, save your family, follow the instructions seriously," PM Modi wrote on Twitter on Monday morning as confirmed cases in India crossed 400.

, , Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 23, 2020

The Prime Minister also called on the state governments to ensure rules are followed to contain the spread of Covid-19. Follow LIVE UPDATES on coronavirus outbreak

All inter-state buses, passenger trains and metro services were suspended across the country till March 31 on Sunday, while 80 districts in 17 states and five Union Territories were placed under complete lockdown to control the spread of novel coronavirus.

The districts where lockdown was announced include 10 districts each in Maharashtra and Kerala, six districts each in Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat, five each in Karnataka and Haryana, three each in Tamil Nadu and Punjab.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday had said the 14-hour-long 'Janta Curfew' on Sunday was just the beginning of a long battle against coronavirus outbreak. PM Modi also lauded the people for their overwhelming response to his appeal for self-restriction, saying together the countrymen can defeat any challenge. He also thanked people for expressing gratitude towards those at the forefront of fight against coronavirus.

"Today's Janta Curfew may end at 9.00pm, but this does not mean we start celebrating," he tweeted. He said that observing the self-imposed curfew should "not be considered as a success" and that "it is the beginning of a long battle." "Janta Curfew is beginning of a long battle. Today, the countrymen have proved that they are capable and once they decide they can together take on any challenge," he said.

In an earlier tweet, he had said the country thanked each person who led the fight against the coronavirus. "Many thanks to the countrymen," Modi wrote. He said that with this "resolve and patience, let's restrict (social distancing) ourselves as part of this long battle."

The prime minister thanked elderly women of the country for expressing their gratitude to those fighting the deadly virus. He also tagged a video which shows his mother Heeraben beating a plate in an expression of gratitude to those fighting the coronavirus outbreak in the country which has killed seven people.