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According to Modi, the nationwide ban will go on till March 30, in the hopes of halting any community spread of COVID-19. Only essential services such as water, electricity, health services, fire services, groceries and municipal services will be allowed to operate.

All shops, commercial establishments, factories, workshops, offices, markets and places of worship will remain closed and interstate buses and metros will be suspended.

“According to health experts, a minimum of 21 days is most crucial to break the cycle of infection. If we are not able to manage this pandemic in the next 21 days, the country and your family will be setback by 21 years. If we are not able to manage the next 21 days, then many families will be destroyed forever,” Modi said.

Currently, India has reported 718 confirmed cases and 14 deaths from the virus. However, medical officials fear that the level of poverty, cramped living conditions and the exhausted healthcare system could cause a rampant spread of the virus into communities, potentially killing many, as in Italy and China.