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Save the nation from another lockdown, PM appeals to people

Modi rules out lockdown; says it is the last resort

PTI02_26_2021_000207B

Amid the unprecedented surge in COVID-19 cases in the second wave of the pandemic, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged people to save the nation from another lockdown.

India is fighting another wave of the pandemic, the PM said in his address to the nation on Tuesday, and thanked the frontline workers for saving the lives of people during the pandemic, risking their lives.

He expressed his condolences to everyone who lost their dear and near ones due to the pandemic.

The challenge is huge, but together we will have to overcome it, he said.

Admitting that there is a shortage of oxygen in hospitals across the state, the prime minister said every effort is being taken to ensure that there is uninterrupted oxygen supply. He said the Centre is trying to scale up the oxygen production and supply.

He said India is lucky to have a strong pharma sector and added that medicine production has been increased.

Speaking about the vaccination drive, he said India has the world's cheapest vaccine and have undertaken the biggest vaccine drive in the world. Anyone who is above the age of 18 can get vaccinated from May 1, he said. Free vaccination will continue in government hospitals, he added.

“The situation earlier was different, we were not equipped to deal with such a crisis then. We did not know how to tackle the disease. But in a very short time, we managed to be above the situation,” he said and added that India has fought the battle against the pandemic well.

He urged people to help out those in need. Modi asked people to be more careful, and not get out of their homes unnecessarily. He also urged media to not create panic.

Ruling out a lockdown for now, the prime minister said there is no need to have another lockdown if people are more careful. He said focus should be on micro-containment zones and lockdown should only be the last resort. He asked the youth to form small committees in their areas and create awareness about COVID-19 protocols.

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