Prime Minister Narendra Modi today urged state governments to implement lockdowns only as a last-resort measure amid a deadly second wave of Covid-19.
"States have to try to avoid lockdowns as much as possible," Modi said in a televised address to the nation. "The focus needs to be on effective micro-containment zones."
Modi also requested states to offer assurance to migrant workers and urge them to stay put where they are. "State governments should assure migrant workers they will receive vaccination and soon work will resume," he said.
The prime minister also said that citizens should continue to observe protocol and exercise caution. He said young people should form disciplinary committees in apartments and housing societies to ensure Covid protocols are followed.
"If we do this then governments will not need to create a containment zone, neither to impose curfew nor to lockdown," Modi said.
Several states, including Maharashtra and national capital Delhi, have announced localised lockdowns as they attempt to curb rising cases.
On the shortage of oxygen, Modi said that the central government is working on increasing supply and ramping up pharmaceutical production.
"There should be new oxygen plants in the states, one lakh new cylinders should be delivered, oxygen used in industrial units should be used for medical purposes, oxygen rail, every effort is being made," he said.
Watch Prime Minister’s full address to the nation here...
Use Lockdowns Only As Last Resort, Modi Tells States
Prime Minister said that states have to use lockdowns only as a last resort.
States have to try avoid lockdowns as much as possible, Modi said. The focus needs to be on effective micro-containment zones, he said.
Modi Urges States To Ensure Migrants Stay Put Where They Are
Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged states to reassure migrant workers that the situation will improve and they should not move back to their hometowns.
“I urge state government to offer assurance to migrant workers,” Modi said. “State governments should assure migrant workers they will receive vaccination and soon work will resume.”
This trust given by the states will help them very much that the city they are in will be vaccinated in the next few days and their work will also not be stopped.Prime Minister Narendra Modi
India Producing Cheapest Vaccine, Says Modi
Modi said that India has fast-tracked vaccine production to ensure citizens are inoculated as soon as possible.
- We have two Made In India vaccines.
- Yesterday, we expanded the vaccine program to those above 18 years of age.
- The centre will continue to provide free vaccination via government hospitals.
- Office workforce and labour will have easier access to vaccines now.
- States should reassure labourers, urge them to stay where they are, not travel.
Pharma Companies Have Ramped Up Production, Says Modi
Production of pharmaceutical supplies across the country is being stepped up, Modi said. The government is also working on increasing hospital bed count and setting up large hospital facilities, he said.
Working To Tackle Shortage Of Oxygen: PM
The government is working to ensure availability of medical oxygen for which there has been a shortage, Modi said.
To increase oxygen production and supply, there are many steps being taken, he said. “The decisions and steps taken in recent days will improve the Covid-19 situation.”
There should be new oxygen plants in the states, one lakh new cylinders should be delivered, oxygen used in industrial units should be used for medical purposes, oxygen rail, every effort is being made.Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Covid Challenge Is Huge, Says PM
Modi said that Covid-19 has resurfaced in India in a big way.
The present challenge we face is large, but it needs to be overcome together, he said.
Deadly Second Wave
Modi’s address comes as the country grapples with a deadly second wave of the virus that has overwhelmed the healthcare infrastructure. Despite several curbs by states, cases have continued to rise unabated leading to a shortage in hospital beds, oxygen and critical drug supplies.
India now has the world’s fastest-growing Covid-19 caseload, adding more than 2 lakh new infections for almost a week now. A surge in cases and localized lockdowns by state governments have also sparked another exodus of workers from cities, the likes of which was seen last year.
The nation added 2,59,170 new infections and 1,761 deaths on Tuesday, leaving it behind only the U.S. in terms of total numbers. As virus numbers have soared more state governments have announced localized shutdowns to try and tamp down on the surge.
Modi has been under pressure from leaders of key states and opposition parties for continuing his election campaign in West Bengal despite the devastation caused by the virus.
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