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India Goes into Complete Lockdown to Combat Coronavirus

Anjana Pasricha

   NEW DELHI - India imposed a three-week nationwide lockdown from
   midnight on Tuesday, banning people from leaving their homes as it
   scrambled to break the chain of transmission of coronavirus in the
   country.

   Affecting 1.3 billion people, it will be world's largest lockdown
   announced since the coronavirus pandemic began its march in countries
   across the globe.

   In a televised address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told citizens that
   the lockdown should be viewed as a type of curfew. "The only way to
   save ourselves from coronavirus is if we don't leave our homes;
   whatever happens, we stay at home," he emphasized.

   It was his second address to the nation in a week. Pointing out that
   the infection spreads like wildfire, the Indian leader warned: "If we
   don't handle these 21 days well, then our country, your family will go
   backwards by 21 years."

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