Want to see you safe, your family happy: PM Modi ahead of festivals amid COVID

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that the lockdown might be over but the Coronavirus is still not gone. He has urged on people to stay safe and not let their guards down.

He has requested people not to stop wearing the mask particularly when in public places, maintain social distance, wash hands regularly and avoid crowded places. "Do not take Coronavirus lightly, till we do not have a vaccine," Modi said in his address to the nation this evening.

"We must not forget that even though the lockdown is gone, the virus is not gone. In the last 7-8 months, due to the efforts of every Indian, we are not going to let the deteriorating situation that India is in today and improve more," PM Modi said.

His address comes amid the onset of the festive season and just days ahead of the Durga puja festival when large crowds are expected.

India will soon cross the 10 crore test number, which has been a major asset in our fight against the pandemic.

"Our doctors, nurses, and health workers have all served our massive population minutely. This is not the time to be careless," Modi said in his 7th address to the nation since the Corona outbreak. He spoke to the nation after a break of four months since his last message to the nation during the lockdown.

He said that several countries are working on a war footing to save mankind and come up with a vaccine. "Several of our institutes and experts are also working on the vaccine. The government is working towards getting the vaccine ready and planning is underway to ensure that every citizen, whoever needs it has access to the vaccine," the Prime Minister said.

A slight lax could result in grave consequences, Modi said. "In India, the death rate at per million population is 83. On the contrary, in several countries such as the US, UK, and Brazil, the number is over 600. India has been successful in saving the lives of its citizens better than more prosperous countries," Modi said.

India has over 7.5 million infections and 115,197 deaths have been recorded so far.

The Prime Minister wished every citizen for all the festivals that India would celebrate in the coming days starting with Durga Puja, Dusshera, Guru Nanak Jayanti, Christmas, Chaath Puja.

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