New Delhi, April 14: After Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the extension of total lockdown in India till May 3, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has decided that all flights will remain suspended in this period. All domestic and international scheduled airline operations will remain suspended till 11.59 pm on May 3. The aviation sector has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. '7 Baaton Mein Saath': From Taking Care of Elders to Asking Businesses Not to Lay People Off, PM Narendra Modi Appeals to People to Follow These 7 Points as He Announces Extension of Lockdown Till May 3.

The India Railways has also extended the suspension of its passenger services till May 3. Earlier, the suspension of services was made till April 14, which was the last day of 21-day COVID-19 lockdown. However, looking at the surge in the coronavirus cases, the government took the decision to extend the lockdown by 21 more days. Indian Railways Extends Suspension of Passenger Train Services Till May 3 After PM Narendra Modi Addresses the Nation on Lockdown.

Check DGCA's tweet:

Modi, in his address today, lauded the nation for patiently bracing the unprecedented hardship brought through the lockdown. He urged people to stay indoors and follow the directives of lockdown with full devotion till May 3. The total number of coronavirus cases in India crossed the 10,000 mark today. The cases have increased to 10,363 (including 8988 active cases, 1035 cured, discharged and migrated.

The death toll, on the other hand, has jumped to 339, according to numbers released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Tuesday morning. Narendra Modi highlighted that more strictness would be observed in the next few days so that together as a nation we can fight against the menace of coronavirus.

Both the Railways and the airlines have been in a confused state on whether to resume ticket bookings after April 14, as there was no clear confirmation from the government. However, with Narendra Modi today addressing the nation and clearly stating an extension of the lockdown till May 3, the Indian Railways and Airlines will continue to suspend all services in this time frame.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 14, 2020 12:27 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).