Kolkata, Mar 24 (IANS): Worried over huge gatherings before shops selling essential commodities amid the coronavirus scare, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday asked people not to crowd markets or retail outlets and maintain social distance.

"Please don't crowd markets, maintain social distance. And please cover your face with something before going outdoors," Banerjee told media persons here.

The Chief Minister said there were adequate supplies in the market, and so there is no need to store anything.

She also requested people to stay at home unless it is an emergency.

Hours before Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a 21-day lockdown in the country from Tuesday midnight to prevent spread of the deadly viral disease, Banerjee had extended till March 31 a previously announced lockdown upto March 27 in the entire state.

The Chief Minister also declared that the lockdown would cover the entire state, rather than parts of it as was announced on Monday.