Should instil ‘sense of fear in us’; COVID pandemic far from over: PM Narendra Modi on alarming pics of crowds

As 'frightening' pictures of people thronging the markets, hill stations emerging in the media, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday warned that the COVID-19 pandemic is far from over and there can be no room for carelessness or complacency.

While interacting with the new Council of ministers, PM Modi noted that people are not wearing masks or following social distancing norms. He said this while referring to pictures and videos of crowded places in several markets across the country, hills stations like Shimla and Manali. The prime minister said this is not a pleasant sight and it should instil a "sense of fear in us".

It may be noted that ever since the state governments started uplifting the lockdown-like restrictions which were put in place amid the second wave of coronavirus, several photos have been emerging from Manali, Mussoorie, Sadar Bazar Delhi, Shimla, Laxmi Nagar Delhi, Dadar Market showing huge crowds with no mask or adherence to social distancing norms.

PM Modi said that India is vigorously fighting against coronavirus and the vaccination drive is going on steadily.

"He added that in such a time, there should be no space for carelessness or complacency. A single mistake would have far-reaching impacts and weaken the fight to overcome COVID-19," a source said.

"The PM said that with the Covid infection numbers being fewer than what they were in the recent months, people may want to venture out. However, everyone must remember that the threat of COVID-19 is far from over. Many other nations are seeing surges in infections. The virus is also mutating," he added.

The prime minister told his ministers that people should be repeatedly informed that the fight against coronavirus is still and they need to follow all COVID protocols so that the nation is able to move beyond this pandemic in future.