Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in India (January–May 2020)

Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in India from January to May 2020

The timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in India from January to May 2020 details the progression of the COVID-19 pandemic in India during the initial months of the outbreak. This period was marked by the first reported cases, the implementation of nationwide lockdowns, and the beginning of public health responses.

January 2020

COVID-19 cases in India

The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in India was reported on January 30, 2020, in the state of Kerala. The patient was a student who had returned from Wuhan, China, the epicenter of the outbreak. This marked the beginning of the pandemic in India, with health authorities initiating contact tracing and quarantine measures.

February 2020

In February, two more cases were reported in Kerala, both linked to travel from China. The state government declared a state of emergency in affected districts and intensified surveillance and containment efforts. By the end of February, all three patients had recovered, and no new cases were reported.

March 2020

COVID-19 cases in India

March saw a significant increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in India. On March 12, the first death due to COVID-19 was reported in Karnataka. The Indian government began implementing travel restrictions and screening measures at airports. On March 22, a "Janata Curfew" was observed nationwide as a trial for social distancing measures.

On March 24, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a 21-day nationwide lockdown to curb the spread of the virus. This lockdown was one of the largest in the world, affecting over 1.3 billion people.

April 2020

Healthcare workers in PPE

In April, the number of cases continued to rise, with clusters emerging in several states, including Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Delhi. The government extended the lockdown until May 3, with some relaxations in areas with low infection rates.

Healthcare workers across the country were mobilized, and efforts were made to increase testing capacity and hospital preparedness. The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) became widespread among frontline workers.

May 2020

COVID-19 deaths in India

In May, the lockdown was further extended in phases, with the introduction of "red," "orange," and "green" zones to categorize areas based on the severity of the outbreak. The government began to ease restrictions in less affected areas to revive economic activities.

The number of cases continued to increase, with Maharashtra being the most affected state. The government focused on ramping up testing and contact tracing efforts, while also preparing for the economic impact of the pandemic.

Related pages

• COVID-19 pandemic in India
• COVID-19 pandemic
• Lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic