As more states went for lockdown-like restrictions to battle the raging second COVID-19 wave, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday stressed that use of lockdown should be the "last resort" and that the focus should rather be on micro-containment zones. Modi's remarks in his address to the nation where he also said the second wave has become a major crisis came on a day when India's active COVID-19 cases crossed 20 lakh after 2,59,170 new coronavirus infections and a record 1,761 new fatalities.

"In the current situation, we need to save our country from a lockdown. I would also request states to use the lockdown as the last resort. We have to do our best to avoid a lockdown and our focus should rather be on micro-containment zones," he said. "If we all follow COVID-19 protocols, there'll be no need to impose lockdowns," Modi added, as he urged the people to reduce their movement and take vaccination.