Don't let your guard down in Covid fight: PM

New Delhi: Making an impassioned appeal with the onset of festival season, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday urged people to follow COVID-19 guidelines, saying this is not the time to be careless as the virus is still around and even a small negligence can dampen the festive spirit.

In his seventh address to the nation following the COVID-19 outbreak, Modi cited examples of the US and several European countries to note that the Coronavirus cases there have seen a sudden and worrisome rise after witnessing a fall, as he cautioned citizens against any laxity until an effective cure is found.

He said pictures and videos have of late emerged showing that many people have either stopped following precautions like wearing masks or have become negligent.

"This is absolutely not right. Those who have become negligent and are moving around without masks are putting themselves and their families, including children and elderly, at risk," he said in his televised speech.

He noted that people have been getting on with their lives after the lockdown was lifted while economic activities are picking up and crowds are slowly returning to markets in the festive times.

"We must keep in mind that lockdown may have ended, but the virus is still there... This is not the time to be negligent, this is not the time to believe that Corona is gone or there is no danger from it," he said.

"India is in a stable situation today due to the efforts of every Indian in the last seven-eight months, and we have to ensure that the situation does not deteriorate," he added.

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

Countries across the world are working at a war-footing to develop a vaccine, and scientists in India have also been working hard in this regard. The Prime Minister said the government is making all efforts to ensure that a vaccine, whenever it is launched, reaches every Indian.