Tamil Nadu, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Meghalaya and Puducherry on Monday decided to extend the lockdown to tackle the spread of the coronavirus till April 30, PTI reported. Last week, Odisha, Punjab, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana and West Bengal had extended the 21-day lockdown.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami said the move was in accordance with the recommendations made by public health experts. The restrictions for residents and commercial establishments will remain the same, according to The NewsMinute. In a statement, the state government said they had suggested to the Centre that the lockdown be extended in order to avoid the further spread of the infection.

The state has 1,075 cases of coronavirus, the third-highest number after Maharashtra and Delhi.

The Puducherry Cabinet approved the decision to extend the lockdown, Chief Minister V Narayanasamy said, according to ANI.

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar said only state-run buses will be allowed to ply on the roads during the lockdown. “Construction work will be allowed to resume after contractors seek permission from authorities concerned, but migrant labourers cannot be employed,” he added.

Meanwhile, Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga said area-wise moderation will be enforced according to the regulations of the Task Forces Committee.

Meghalaya, which reported its first positive case of Covid-19 on Monday, also extended the lockdown till April 30, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong said.

The announcements came a day before Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address the nation at 10 am on Tuesday. The lockdown ends at midnight on Tuesday, and the prime minister’s address is expected to make an announcement on the extension. Several states have called for an extension as the number of cases continue to rise in India.

Modi had held a video conference with chief ministers of 13 states on April 11. The Centre had said after the meeting that it was considering states’ request to extend the lockdown.