Photos: India's nationwide lockdown extended through May 3

A deserted view of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus amid nationwide lockdown, in Mumbai. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended a nationwide lockdown through May 3 as India steps up its fight to contain the spread of the coronavirus among its 1.3 billion people.

The government will evaluate every town, district and state until April 20 for adherence with the lockdown, Modi said in a televised address on Tuesday, hours before a 21-day lockdown imposed last month was set to end. Areas that are less likely to turn into a hotspot may be allowed to open up certain essential activities from April 20. | Above: CRPF personnel deployed at Ghazipur Vegetable Mandi during Coronavirus Lockdown, in East Delhi.

"We will have to keep a close and strict watch on the places which run the risk of becoming hotspots," Modi said in his fourth national address since infections began ticking up sharply in mid-March. "The creation of new hotspots will further challenge our hard work and penance. Hence, let us extend the strictness and austerity in the fight against corona for the upcoming one week." | Above: Roads are seen deserted during a lockdown in Prayagraj.

In his address to the nation, Modi assured the people that the country has ample reserves of medicines, food grains and other essential goods and that the supply chain is continuously being streamlined. | Above: The Gariahat market wears a deserted look on 'Poila Baishak', the Bengali New Year, due to nationwide lockdown, in Kolkata.

The decision to extend the restrictions comes as the number of those infected by the virus has climbed despite most people staying at home over the past three weeks. Still, Modi said compared with some other countries India is in a "well-managed" position and the path of social distancing adopted in the world's second-most populous nation is correct. | Above: A policeman wearing a a coronavirus helmet distributes pamphlets to raise awareness about the COVID-19 at a residential area in Chennai.

Modi said that while from an economic point of view the measure looks costly right now, the aim to save lives was paramount. He said one of his top priorities is to reduce the difficulties being faced by those who earn a daily wage: The lockdown prompted tens of thousands of migrant workers to flee from cities to villages after they lost work, prompting fears of starvation. | Above: Inter district government buses are seen parked at a depot during lockdown in Ranchi.

The WHO on Tuesday welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement on the extension of the nationwide lockdown till May 3 due to coronavirus scare. Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director for South-East Asia of the World Health Organization, said that a six-week nationwide lockdown to facilitate effective physical distancing, coupled with expansion of core public health measures, will benefit India in combating the novel coronavirus. | Above: A lock is seen at the entrance gate of Jamia Masjid, the main mosque in Srinagar.

India has so far reported 10,541 infections and 358 deaths, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. That compares with more than half a million cases and nearly 24,000 deaths in the US. | Above: Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel patrol a street during lockdown in Ahmedabad.

Asia's third-largest economy was on track to grow 5%, its weakest expansion in more than a decade in the fiscal year that ended in March. Now it's looking at a further downturn. | Above: Policeman wearing virus themed helmets ride on horses in Hyderabad.

Regions showing improvement in containing the virus spread up to April 20 may see some relaxation for essential activities, but that will also come with conditions, Modi said, noting the government will issue detailed guidelines on Wednesday. | Above: Impoverished people rest by their shanties at Dharavi, one of Asia's largest slums in Mumbai.

India may be losing close to 400 billion rupees ($5.2 billion) daily due to the lockdown with an estimated loss amounting to as much as 8 trillion rupees during the past 21 days, Sangita Reddy, president of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, said in a statement, adding close to 40 million jobs are at risk during the April to September period. | Above: A homeless child tries to fly a kite on the middle of a deserted road in New Delhi.

India on Tuesday also extended the ban on all domestic and international scheduled flights as well as cancellation of passenger trains through May 3. As part of its lockdown and social distancing push India has asked people to stay indoors. | Above: An Indian paramilitary soldier stops people on a scooter during lockdown in Srinagar.

Over the last month it has gradually widened its testing norms even though the country's testing rates are still some of the lowest in the world. It has also diverted existing medical infrastructure to fight the spread of the virus. | Above: A policeman asks a vegetable vendor to leave a market during lockdow in Prayagraj.

Medical officers inspect a quarantine center at the Sarusojai sports complex in Gauhati

A migrant labourer, who was stopped while trying to head back to his hometown and are being quarantined, eats a meal at a government school in New Delhi

Women stand in marked circles to maintain distance as they wait to receive face masks, gloves and hand sanitizers distributed by the Rapid Action Force (RAF) in Ahmedabad

Migrant workers from other states and the homeless eat dinner at a shelter set up at a mall during lockdown in Ahmedabad

A migrant worker from another state looks through the window of his room in Dharavi, one of Asia's largest slums, in Mumbai

People queue up outside a bank to withdraw relief money deposited into their accounts by the government in Hyderabad

Local volunteers stand guard to prevent outsiders from entering their locality during lockdown in Jammu

Indian paramilitary soldiers make a youth hold earlobes and squat as they punish him for venturing out during lockdown in Jammu

A woman wearing protective mask watches through a window of her house as a policeman makes markings for people to maintain social distance at a market in Srinagar