Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a complete nationwide lockdown for 21 days from Tuesday midnight, urging people to practice social distance or the country will slide back by 21 hours. In his second national broadcast in a week on the pandemic raging across much of the world with the number of infections rising in India, Modi made a fervent appeal to the countrymen not to cross the 'Lakshman rekha' of their homes in the next three weeks.

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"If the situation is not handled in these 21 days, the country and your family could go back by 21 years. If situation is not handled in these 21 days, several families will get devastated forever," he said underlining the massive danger the coronavirus poses.

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Soon after prime minister’s speech people gathered outside grocery stores to buy essential goods, forcing PM Modi to clarify that certain items will continue to sell even in lockdown. "My fellow citizens, there is absolutely no need to panic. Essential commodities, medicines etc. would be available. Centre and various state governments will work in close coordination to ensure this," he tweeted after his speech.

Here is the full list of services that will continue to remain operational - 

-Petrol Pumps, CNG, LPG, PNG

-Banks, insurance offices, print and electronic media to remain open

-Disaster management, power transmission units

-Police, home guards, defence and armed forces

-Electricity, water and sanitation

-Hospitals, nursing homes, fire stations, ATMs will continue to work:

-Fair price shops and those dealing with food, groceries, fruits, vegetables, dairy, meat, fish, animal fodder

-Capital and debt market services as notified by SEBI

However, all transport services including road, rail and air will remain suspended during the lockdown period.