India extends coronavirus lockdown till May 3

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an extension of the nationwide lockdown till May 3, as the number of COVID-19 cases crossed 10,000.

The country's three-week lockdown was set to end at midnight tonight.

"After taking into account all suggestions, we have decided to extend the lockdown till May 3," he said during his televised address on Tuesday morning.

He added that restrictions will be tightened in "coronavirus hotspots" and those areas will be "closely monitored".

Any decision on easing restrictions on parts that have no reported cases of COVID-19 would be taken after April 20.

So far, the country has recorded 358 deaths.