PM Modi warns against neglecting social distancing norms during Unlock 2.0

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday warned against neglecting the social distancing norms during the Unlock 2.0 phase and said people should wear masks strictly.
While addressing the nation, PM Modi said we are entering the Unlock 2.0 and the season of cough, fever and cold is also about to start. "In such a situation, I urge countrymen to take care of themselves," he said.
"Ever since the Unlock 1.0 started in the country, negligence in personal and social behaviour has been increasing. Earlier, we were more cautious about the use of masks, 'do gaj doori' and washing hands several times a day for 20 seconds," he said.
The country will be entering "unlock 2" from July 1 for which guidelines were issued by the Union Home Ministry on Monday night, further easing the restrictions imposed due to the coronavirus lockdown.
In his address, PM Modi said that in comparison to other countries across the globe, India is still in a very stable situation, in the battle against the Covid-19 and that timely decisions and measures have played a great role.
During the lockdown, rules were strictly abided by. Now, the governments, local administrations and citizens again have to show similar caution.
"We need to have a special focus on containment zones. If you see someone flouting norms, tell them to not do so," PM Modi urged.
PM Modi also announced that PM Gareeb Kalyan Anna Yojana will be extended till the month of November to provide free ration to the poor. The extension of the scheme will cost over Rs 90 thousand crore, Modi said.
"Under PM Garib Kalyan Yojana, we announced a package of Rs 1.75 lakh crore. In the last 3 months, Rs 31,000 crore was deposited in bank accounts of 20 crore poor families. Also, Rs 18,000 crore was deposited in bank accounts of more than 9 crore farmers," the PM said.
Earlier, PM Modi reviewed India's preparations for vaccinating its vast population against Coid-19 once a vaccine is available and asserted that vaccination must be affordable and universal.
Modi chaired a high-level meeting to review planning and preparations for vaccination against the novel coronavirus.
This is the Prime Minister's sixth address to the nation since the outbreak of the pandemic.
Modi had last addressed the nation on May 12 when he had announced a Rs 20-lakh-crore financial package to boost the economy recovering from coronavirus-induced lockdown.
In his monthly "Mann ki Baat" address on Sunday, the prime minister had asserted that India has given a befitting reply to those who cast an evil eye on its territory in Ladakh.
On Covid-19, he had urged the people to be more vigilant in the unlock phase and take necessary precautions, stressing that not doing so will put at risk their lives and those of others.
In his recent interaction with the chief ministers, he had urged them to think about phase 2 of unlocking to boost the economy hit by the Covid-19 pandemic and the nationwide lockdown.