A pan-India lockdown would not be required if the COVID-19 guidelines are followed properly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in his address to the nation on April 20.

A total lockdown should be considered as a last resort in the fight against coronavirus, Modi stressed, adding that the focus should remain on the micro-containment strategy.

"I urge the states to consider lockdowns only as of the last option and focus creating on micro-containment zones," he said.

The prime minister also appealed to the state governments to urge the migrant workers to "remain where they are". The workers must be assured by the states that "they would be helped" and that "they will be vaccinated in the city where they are", he added.

Modi, in his address, noted that the demand for medical oxygen has shot up in several parts of the country. "Centre, states, and private sector working to bridge oxygen deficit," he said.

Apart from oxygen supplies, the Centre and state governments are also focusing on ramping up the health infrastructure, Modi said. "Work is on to increase the number of beds in hospitals. In some cities, large COVID-19 dedicated hospitals are being built," he added.

The prime minister also credited the robustness of India's pharmaceutical sector in the fight against the pandemic. "Pharma industry is going to ramp up production of necessary drugs even more. We are lucky that we have a strong pharma sector," he said.

The second wave of coronavirus has hit India like a "storm", Modi contended, adding that the country is waging another battle against the pandemic. "The challenge is daunting," he said.

"The challenge before is big but we have to overcome it with our resolve, courage and preparation," he added.

Modi claimed that the decisions taken by the government over the last few days will help in improving the situation rapidly.

The move to open up vaccination for all aged above 18 is a major step towards offsetting the impact of COVID-19, the prime minister said.

"India with two 'made in India' vaccines started the world's largest vaccination program. Till now, more than 12 crore vaccine doses have been administered. From 1st May, those above the age of 18 years can be vaccinated," he said.

The vaccination at government-run hospitals, however, would continue free of cost for the priority groups - healthcare workers, other frontline workers, and those aged above 45, Modi clarified.

A day earlier, the new vaccination policy was released by the central government. The immunization drive was thrown open to all adults from May 1.

Also read: Phase-3 of COVID-19 vaccination begins on May 1 — here is all you need to know

The Centre liberalized the roll-out of vaccine by allowing the manufacturers to release 50 per cent of their products in the open market at a pre-determined rate.

Although the move addresses the longstanding Opposition demand of removing the vaccine eligibility criteria, it has drawn criticism over the fears of high pricing.

"Modi government has abdicated its responsibility of price fixation by permitting the manufacturer to determine the price for 50 percent of quantity produced. Why? Ultimately, poor and disadvantaged suffer as companies make money and a complicit government shuts its eyes," Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said.