NEW DELHI – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday ruled out a lockdown amid the second wave of Covid-19 in the country, reported Xinhua news agency.
Addressing the nation on TV for the first time amid the second wave, Modi also appealed to state governments to consider lockdown as a “last resort”.
Serious efforts are being made to ensure enough production and supply of oxygen across the country, he added, especially in cities where it is urgently required.
He said unlike last year, when Covid-19 had initially struck, the country is better placed now.
“We have enough medical facilities to curb the pandemic spread.”
Modi appealed to the people to not panic, strictly follow Covid-19 protocols and not move out of homes until urgently required.
“We will overcome the second wave of the pandemic like we did last time.”
India’s Covid-19 death toll reached 180,530 yesterday. As many as 259,170 new cases were recorded between Monday and yesterday, taking the total tally to 15,321,089.
There are 2,031,977 active cases in the country, with an increase of 102,648 cases through Monday, even as 13,108,582 people have been cured and discharged from hospitals, so far. – Bernama, April 21, 2021
