Let Lockdown Be The Last Resort: PM Modi

Amid the surge in Covid-19 cases and with many states imposing night curfew, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged the people to save India from lockdown. He said that the state governments should consider it as a last resort. If people follow Covid protocols, then lockdown and curfew will not be required, he said.

He addressed the nation this evening in the wake of alarming situation due to Covid-19. He said that the second wave of Coronavirus has hit India like a storm. “I express my condolences to the families of those who lost their dear ones,” said Modi.

On the rise in the demand for oxygen due to increasing Covid cases, he said steps were being taken to transport medical oxygen wherever needed. The authorities are putting in efforts to reduce the shortage of oxygen and increase its production and supply, he said. Pharma companies have ramped up production of necessary medicines for Covid patients.

The PM said that over 12 crore people were given vaccine doses.

“Today, vaccines in India are the cheapest in the world. From May 1, all those who are above 18 years of age can also get vaccinated as a decision to this effect was taken,’ he said, adding that their main aim was to save lives with least disruption to economic activity.

He said that government facilities are providing Covid vaccines free of cost and would continue to do so. He urged the migrant workers not to travel to their home towns but stay in the cities where they are now and assured them that the respective states would arrange for their vaccination.

The PM thanked doctors, paramedical staff, police, sanitation workers and others for their services.

During a meeting with the vaccine manufacturers held earlier in the day, he lauded their achievements. The biggest strengths of the vaccine industry are its Samarthya, Sansadhan and Seva Bhaav, he said.

According to the Union helath ministry, India’s tally of Covid-19 cases crossed the 1.5 crore mark while the active cases sprinted past the 20-lakh mark.