People look out from their balconies at Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia who was present during a sanitation drive in Mayur Vihar Phase II, on day twenty of the 21-day nationwide lockdown to curb the spread of Coronavirus on April 13, 2020 in New Delhi, India.

India's coronavirus lockdown has been extended until May 3, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in an address to the nation. The initial 21-day lockdown was due to be lifted Tuesday.

Modi explained that the lockdown, as well as other social distancing measures, have benefited the country despite the economic costs incurred. He also said India needs to be "very vigilant" about hot spots.

"We will have to keep a close and strict watch on the places which run the risk of becoming hot-spots. The creation of new hot-spots will further challenge our hard work and penance," Modi said, according to an English version of his speech uploaded online by his office.

He added that until April 20, states, towns, districts and police stations will be evaluated on "how much the lockdown is being followed."

Areas that are less likely to become hot spots in the future may be allowed to partially open up thereafter, with caveats. If new risks of outbreak emerge, those permissions would be withdrawn, Modi explained. The government is set to issue a detailed guideline on this measure on Wednesday.

Modi thanked Indians for abiding by the lockdown despite the hardships many of them endured. He also assured that the country has sufficient reserves of medicines, food rations, and other essential goods. Modi said that supply chain constraints were constantly being removed.

Many states, like West Bengal for example, announced extensions to the lockdown before Modi's speech.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted about the decision on Saturday before any formal announcements were made from Modi's government.

Tweet: PM has taken 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 imp to extend it

A recent summary of one of Modi's meetings with all the state chief ministers posted by his office said, "The Chief Ministers suggested that Lockdown should be extended by two weeks."