NEW DELHI, March 29 (Xinhua) -- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday once again appealed to his countrymen to remain indoors and not venture out while strictly following the 21-day countrywide lockdown which ends on April 14.

This handout photograph released by Defence PRO Ahmedabad on March 29, 2020, shows the sleeping quarters of a temporary quarantine facility of the Indian army in Jodhpur. (Photo: AFP)

He urged upon the countrymen not to hate or boycott those who had undergone quarantine or have recovered from the COVID-19.

"Please observe social distancing, not emotional distancing or human distancing. Please do not stop social interaction during the COVID-19 spread," said Modi.

Modi also said that those who were taking lockdown casually and moving out unnecessarily were putting their lives at risk.

He expressed thanks to the medical staff across the country who are working tirelessly in treating the COVID-19 patients, adding that the outbreak of this pandemic has thrown a big challenge to the nursing community.