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'Lockdown is over, but coronavirus is not': PM's stern message during festive season

Even as he wished the nation a happy festive season on October 20, 2020, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated the importance of observing precautions in the battle against the coronavirus pandemic.

‘The lockdown is gone, but not the pandemic, let’s not forget’, the PM said.

He highlighted the fact that many Indians seem to have become careless about the pandemic, which is a very dangerous pattern of behaviour.

‘Safeguard yourselves during the festive season’, the PM repeatedly stressed. ‘Do not underplay the importance of wearing masks and washing hands, and also ensuring family members including children and older members in the family follow the same.’

The Prime Minister also said that the government is preparing a plan so that the vaccine is available to all citizens, once developed.

Top takeaways

-With the onset of the festival season, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said this is not the time to be careless as the novel coronavirus is still around and even a small negligence can dampen the festive spirit.

-In his seventh address to the nation following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Modi said many videos have surfaced in recent times that show many people having stopped taking precautions. 'This is not the right thing to do,' he said.

-'If you are careless and moving around without mask, you are putting yourself, children and the elderly at risk,' the prime minister said.

-'We must keep in mind that lockdown may have ended, but the virus is still there,' he said.

-In Europe, America and other countries, the number of cases have seen a hike yet again after seeing a decline in the past, he noted.

-We should continue to be careful and not be callous until a vaccine is found, Modi said.

-The prime minister said the government is making all efforts to ensure that a vaccine, whenever it is launched, reaches every Indian.

-'We all must remember, there can be no laxity till a medicine is found,'

Modi has addressed the nation a number of times during the COVID-19 crisis in which he has spoken about various measures, including lockdown, being taken to curb the pandemic and also announced economic and welfare packages.

India’s COVID-19 fight

On Monday, India reported 47,000 new COVID-19 cases: this is the lowest number of cases per day in the last three months since July.

India has one of the highest recovery rates of 88% as it was one of the first nations to go for lockdown.

Inputs: PTI