India Extends Nationwide Lockdown Until May 3... COVID-19 Cases Surpass 10,000

COVID-19 Cases Increase Tenfold in 16 Days
Nationwide Lockdown for 3 Weeks Fails to Curb Rising Trend

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The Indian government, which had imposed a nationwide lockdown for three weeks since the 25th of last month, has decided to extend the lockdown until the 3rd of next month. This decision to extend the lockdown is interpreted as a response to the continued spread of COVID-19 infections in India, with confirmed cases surpassing 10,000.

According to foreign media such as the AP News, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced in a national address on the 14th that the nationwide lockdown, which had been in effect for three weeks since the 25th of last month, would be extended until the 3rd of next month. Prime Minister Modi emphasized, "We cannot remove the protective shield while fighting COVID-19," adding, "Although we are paying a high economic cost, the lives of the people are more precious."

The original nationwide lockdown was scheduled to end on this day. Under the lockdown, the Indian government closed schools, transportation services, and industrial facilities, and residents were only allowed to go out for essential purchases. As a result, economic activities were paralyzed, and millions of daily wage workers who lost their jobs fled from big cities, causing chaos. In response, Prime Minister Modi had also announced earlier this month that lockdown measures would be gradually lifted.

However, with the cumulative number of confirmed cases in India reaching 10,564 by this day, surpassing 10,000, and the death toll reaching 339, the government decided to extend the lockdown. India's cumulative confirmed cases increased more than tenfold in just 16 days after surpassing 1,000 on the 29th of last month. Despite the nationwide lockdown, the spread has not been curbed, leading to the decision to extend the lockdown.

It is known that the surge in confirmed cases in India occurred after an Islamic religious gathering held in Nizamuddin, New Delhi, in mid-last month. Prayers and sermons were conducted in a crowded, confined space, and after the event, attendees returned to various parts of India, becoming a focal point for the spread of infection. It is estimated that about one-third of the total confirmed cases in India are related to attendees of this event.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.