New Delhi: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a nationwide three weeks lockdown starting from Tuesday midnight. The entire country of 1.3 billion people will come under its purview.

He said this is an essential step to fight coronavirus decisively. He added that saving lives was priority as of now.

"With folded hands, I request you to stay put wherever you are," said Modi. He added that he is mindful of the economic ramifications of it. However, this was a lesser concern now.

Modi warned that if the country didnt follow a complete lockdown for the coming 21 days, the nation will go back 21 years and many families will be devastated.

He also said many powerful countries in the world have become helpless, regardless of their efforts. He once again reiterated that social distancing was the only way to deal with this deadly coronavirus that has infected more than 500 in India, so far.

"Some people are under the misconception that social distancing is only for those infected with coronavirus... but they should understand that this for everyone because it is important to break the cycle," said PM Modi in his address to the nation.

This was his second address to the nation in five days regarding coronavirus.