PM to address nation at 8 PM tonight on coronavirus outbreak

New Delhi, March 24 (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation at 8 PM on Tuesday on the coronavirus outbreak.

“Will address the nation at 8 PM today, 24th March 2020, on vital aspects relating to the menace of COVID-19,” Modi tweeted.

He had addressed the nation on efforts to combat the virus on March 19.

Nearly 500 coronavirus cases have been reported in India so far, according to Health Ministry data on Tuesday.

As cases of the viral infection surged, authorities have put almost the entire country under lockdown, banning gathering of people and suspending road, rail and air traffic till March 31.

Coronavirus: 32 states, UTs under complete lockdown

A total of 32 states and Union territories have declared complete lockdown so far covering 560 districts, in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, officials said on Tuesday.

Three other states and UTs have imposed lockdowns in certain areas in their territories, covering 58 districts, and one UT has imposed closure of some activities in its jurisdiction.

“Following the central government’s communication to state governments and UTs, a total of 32 states and UTs have imposed complete lockdown covering 560 districts,” a government official said.

There are 28 states and eight UTs in the country.