NEW DELHI (AP) — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has decreed a 21-day lockdown across the nation of 1.3 billion people “to save India” from the coronavirus pandemic.
In a television address, Modi said that if India isn't able to manage the next 21 days, the country could be set back by 21 years.
India's stay-at-home order puts nearly one-fifth of the world's population under lockdown.
Indian health officials have reported 469 active cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, and 10 deaths.
Officials have repeatedly insisted there is no evidence yet of communal spread but have conducted relatively scant testing for the disease.
Click here to learn more about COVID-19
and how you can help slow the spread of the virus.