Prior to the announcement of the nationwide lockdown, on March 22, the government had announced that Indian Railways would suspend passenger operations through March 31.[19] The national rail network is maintaining its freight operations during the lockdown, to transport essential goods.[20] On 29 March, Indian Railways announced that it would start service for special parcel trains to transport essential goods, in addition to regular freight service.[21] The national rail operator has also announced plans to convert coaches into isolation wards for patients of COVID-19.[22] This has been described as the first time in 167 years that India's rail network had been suspended,[23] although there was also a strike in 1974.[24]