Lockdown Has Gone, Not Virus Says PM Modi, Warns Indians Not To Be Complacent During Festivals

With the festival season just around the corner, Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned Indians against complacency about COVID-19.

In his address to the nation, the PM said right from Janta curfew in March, all Indians have played a crucial role in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

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The Prime Minister said that in this festive season, markets are bright again but we need to remember that the lockdown might have ended but the virus has not.

Masks must

"Most of us are stepping out of our homes every day to fulfill our responsibilities, to speed up life again. This season of festivals is also slowly returning to the markets. But if you are negligent, coming out without a mask, you are putting yourself, your family, your family's children, the elderly in the same great crisis.

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Reminding the country of the challenges still ahead, the PM said that with the efforts of every Indian over the last 7-8 months, India is in a stable situation but we must not let it deteriorate.

India better than other countries

"Today, the recovery rate in the country is good. The fatality rate is low. 5,500 people out of every 10 lakh population in India are infected, whereas in countries like the US and Brazil this figure is around 25,000. The fatality rate in India is 83 out of every 10 lakh population in India, whereas it is more than 600 in countries like the US, Brazil, Spain, Britain," he said.

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He also reminded the country that our fight against COVID-19 should not weaken until we get the vaccine is available.

"Recently, we saw many photos & videos where it is clearly seen that people are not careful anymore. This isn't right. If you step out without mask, you put your families at risk. We must remember - whether it is America or Europe, cases declined and then there was a sudden spike," the PM said.