Prime Minister Narendra Modi has imposed a three-week long nationwide lockdown and allocated an extra $1.97 billion for health care to contain the spread of coronavirus infections which are now spiking in the South Asian nation.
"If we listen to the health experts we know that 21 days are crucial to break the cycle of transmission," Modi said in his televised address to the nation on Tuesday. "For a few days forget what it means to go out. Today's decision of a nationwide lockdown draws a line outside your home."
India is struggling to contain the economic and health fallout of the spreading coronavirus outbreak that has so far infected 519 in India and killed 10 people. Ashish Chauhan, CEO at Bombay Stock Exchange, said the bourse will remain remain open through the lockdown.