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Gadkari says coronavirus prepared in lab; it isn't natural

It is expected that vaccine will be available as soon as possible, he said

Nitin Gadkari | Amey Mansabdar

Even as the scientific community remains sceptical about the claim that coronavirus had its origins in a laboratory in Wuhan, Union Minister for MSME, Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari reiterated his stance that the virus originated in a lab.

Recently, in an interview with a news magazine, the minister had said he does not ascribe to the theory that the virus that is causing COVID-19 is natural. He had said that the virus is an artificial one, prepared in a lab. The scientific community is unable to come up with a solution to the virus as it is not a natural one, he added.

On Wednesday, the minister again said the virus is artificial and people need to understand the art of living with it. "It is an artificial virus and now many countries in the whole world, they are researching on it for a vaccine. The vaccine is not available, it is expected that vaccine will be available as soon as possible, then there will be no problem," NDTV quoted him as saying.

He further said a good methodology is the need of the hour to immediately identify the virus. He said India and the world is not prepared to face the virus as it was created in a laboratory. "After finding a solution for that, we can create confidence. After taking a vaccine there will be no problem," Gadkari was quoted as saying.

The minister had repeatedly spoken about the importance of being ready to live with the virus. A few days ago, during a virtual meeting with the Retailers Association of India (RAI), Gadkari had said we would have to develop a way to learn the art of living with the virus.