Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation at 8 pm today, a day after his six-hour meeting with Chief Ministers on the road ahead after May 17, when the nationwide corona virus lock down is due to end. This will be his third such address since he announced the lock down in late March to slow the spread of the highly infectious COVID-19.

The Prime Minister may speak on the crisis of thousands of migrants on the move, desperate to reach home after losing their jobs during the lock down. Walking, cycling, hitching rides on trucks or even riding auto rickshaws, many have lost their lives in accidents or because of hunger and exhaustion.

Yesterday, in his online meeting with Chief Ministers, the PM had said while their movement would impact states, if they were determined, they should be able to return home in the next 10 days. “It is human nature to want to go home,” he had said.

“We know that this will lead to a spike in infections, but this will help free the country from corona virus,” he added, urging states to prepare a plan for the migrants and to boost economic activity.

PM Modi had also hinted in the meeting that the lock down – extended twice – would continue, but with far less restrictions.

“I am of the firm view that the measures needed in the first phase of lock down were not needed during the second phase and similarly the measures needed in the third phase are not needed in the fourth,” the Prime Minister said, according to a statement released after the meeting.

Restrictions like a night curfew and limited public transport may continue in areas worst affected by COVID-19, sources said.