Mumbai, March 24 (IANS) India's key stock markets –- the NSE and the BSE -- will remain functional despite the 21-day nationwide lockdown announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with effect from Tuesday midnight to contain the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

Accordingly, all segments on both the stock markets will operate "as usual".

In a special address to the nation on Tuesday evening, Modi announced a countrywide lockdown for a period of 21 days in order to prevent the dreaded virus from spreading. Cornoavirus has already claimed 10 lives in the country besides infecting over 500 people.

--IANS rv/arm