On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the country's current 21-day nationwide lockdown would be extended until May 3.
Modi said every district and state across the country will be evaluated in terms of restrictions being followed until April 20, calling it a “litmus test.”
Areas that succeed and are less likely to turn into a hotspot could then be allowed to open up certain activities, he said.
“However, keep in mind, this permission will be conditional and the rules for going out will be very strict. Permission will be withdrawn immediately if lockdown rules are broken and the spread of coronavirus risked,” he warned.
Several states have already set up hundreds of “containment zones” in areas that have seen a concentration of cases.
Modi expressed his concerns over cases spreading into new areas. "A single new patient at even the smallest local level should be a matter of concern for us," he said.
“Therefore, we have to be very vigilant about hotspots ... the creation of new hotspots will further challenge our hard work,” Modi added.
On Tuesday the number of confirmed cases in India crossed the 10,000 mark, reaching 10,363. At least 339 people have died.
On Monday, the country reported it had conducted 206,212 COVID-19 tests.