NEW DELHI: Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday asked senior health officials to prepare for restrictions “similar to lockdown” if people continue to flout Covid norms in the state.
Thackeray’s firm directive comes at a time when Maharashtra is consistently reporting a sharp increase in Covid infections and deaths.
At a meeting with senior health officials and the Covid task force, Thackeray said that restrictions similar to lockdown must be considered if people continue to violate Covid-related rules, reported ANI.
The chief minister said that cases are rising in the state as people are not following the guidelines properly.
“That is why strict steps like lockdown must be considered,” he reportedly told the officials.
Thackeray asked officials to prepare a plan for implementation of a lockdown which will have a minimum impact on the economy on the recommendation of the state Covid-19 task force, an official release said.
In a meeting held with the chief minster, health minister Rajesh Tope and other officials, members of the task force expressed apprehension that the state might report 40,000 fresh cases in the next 24 hours, it said.
During the meeting, the CM reviewed health infrastructure including availability of beds, oxygen, medicines etc. in the state to treat Covid-19 patients.
The task force then recommended that the state government implement measures like a stricter lockdown to stem the rise in coronavirus positive cases.
“There should not be any kind of confusion among the people once a lockdown is announced,” the CM is quoted as saying.
Struggling to arrest the fresh surge in Covid cases, the Maharashtra government on Saturday announced a ban on all types of gatherings in the state.
The state government also ordered that restaurants, gardens and malls will remain shut between 8pm to 7am beginning Saturday night.
People will also not be allowed to visit beaches during 8pm to 7am, an official order said.
The state has already imposed night curfew to bring the situation under control.
On Saturday, Maharashtra reported 166 coronavirus-related deaths, its highest this year, besides 35,726 new cases.
(With inputs from PTI, ANI)
Thackeray’s firm directive comes at a time when Maharashtra is consistently reporting a sharp increase in Covid infections and deaths.
At a meeting with senior health officials and the Covid task force, Thackeray said that restrictions similar to lockdown must be considered if people continue to violate Covid-related rules, reported ANI.
The chief minister said that cases are rising in the state as people are not following the guidelines properly.
“That is why strict steps like lockdown must be considered,” he reportedly told the officials.
Thackeray asked officials to prepare a plan for implementation of a lockdown which will have a minimum impact on the economy on the recommendation of the state Covid-19 task force, an official release said.
In a meeting held with the chief minster, health minister Rajesh Tope and other officials, members of the task force expressed apprehension that the state might report 40,000 fresh cases in the next 24 hours, it said.
During the meeting, the CM reviewed health infrastructure including availability of beds, oxygen, medicines etc. in the state to treat Covid-19 patients.
The task force then recommended that the state government implement measures like a stricter lockdown to stem the rise in coronavirus positive cases.
“There should not be any kind of confusion among the people once a lockdown is announced,” the CM is quoted as saying.
Struggling to arrest the fresh surge in Covid cases, the Maharashtra government on Saturday announced a ban on all types of gatherings in the state.
The state government also ordered that restaurants, gardens and malls will remain shut between 8pm to 7am beginning Saturday night.
People will also not be allowed to visit beaches during 8pm to 7am, an official order said.
The state has already imposed night curfew to bring the situation under control.
On Saturday, Maharashtra reported 166 coronavirus-related deaths, its highest this year, besides 35,726 new cases.
(With inputs from PTI, ANI)