In India, beginning at 0000 local time on 25 March (1830 UTC on 24 March) a 21-day countrywide lockdown began in order to slow the spread of the ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Under the order, residents are able to leave their homes to procure supplies such as food or medicine, to seek medical treatment or to report to work if they are employed in essential services, which include but are not limited to, grocery stores, gas stations, medical facilities, banks, the media and telecommunications. All nonessential businesses are instructed to have employees work from home if possible. Previously implemented bans on domestic and international flights as well as rail services are set to remain in effect, except for cargo flights transporting essential supplies or emergency services. To date, there are at least 562 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 10 deaths in the country. Most Indian states and federally administered Union Territories previously imposed stay-at-home measures, and the latest order appears to be an attempt to form a uniform response to combat COVID-19. Depending on the effect of the lockdown, authorities are likely to extend it beyond the deadline or introduce more stringent measures, especially if citizens choose to ignore the order. Authorities have guaranteed that essential goods and services will remain accessible, and that residents should avoid panic-buying supplies.