In his televised address, — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi explained that for 21 days, people will not be allowed to step out of their homes but it comes without a plan to feed and treat the billions being locked down.

MUMBAI — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday the government would impose a nationwide lockdown from midnight Monday for 21 days to stem the spread of the coronavirus. 

But the plan is already coming under criticism as there is no plan in place to feed the people or provide for the lockdown. There are also reports of police taking bribes from individuals and businesses to operate during the lockdown. And there is fear that it can lead to looting and violence.

“If we listen to the health experts we know that 21 days are crucial to break the cycle of transmission,” Modi said in his televised address to the nation on Thursday. “For a few days forget what it means to go out. Today’s decision of a nationwide lockdown draws a line outside your home.”

In the last week, the government has implemented a near complete lockdown of its major cities and suspended train, flight and long distance bus services. Modi said in his address governments would take steps to ensure the supply of essential items, and asked states to prioritize saving lives.

The biggest challenge for Modi will be to curb the spread of the virus in a country of 1.3 billion and shield an economy that’s set to expand at the slowest pace in more than a decade. But experts say the country could be on the same trajectory as Italy, where the outbreak quickly escalated, causing hospitals to overflow.