Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address to the nation today urged the states to use the lockdowns as a last resort.
“States should use the lockdown as the last resort – our focus should be micro-containment zones. We will take care of economic health as well as the health of countrymen,” PM Modi said, addressing the nation.
The Prime Minister made it clear that a nationwide lockdown was off the table for now.
“For some weeks the situation was in control. We were just recovering from the first wave. But then the second wave has come like a storm,” said Modi.
“I feel the pain of all those who have lost a loved one. The challenge is big but we must cross this with determination and resolve.”
Modi said the government is trying to meet the huge demand of oxygen.
“There is a huge demand for oxygen. We are trying to ensure availability to all who need it,” PM Modi told the country.
Modi’s addressing came after a series of meetings he had with various stakeholders since yesterday amid a spurt of Covid cases across the country. Today, he interacted with vaccine manufactures.
India registered 1,761 Covid deaths in the last 24 hours, the biggest one-day spike, and over 2.59 lakh new cases. The total number of cases now stands at more than 1.53 crore.
