Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray is likely to announce whether the state should be placed under strict lockdown – in his speech scheduled for Wednesday after 8 p.m., Maharashtra ministers confirmed. On Tuesday, the issue of a stricter lockdown was discussed in Cabinet where the majority favored a long lockdown in the state, extended by a week or two, instead of a nighttime curfew or the imposition of section 144.
“Tomorrow after 8 p.m. the chief minister will announce the lockdown decision in the state. We have asked the CM to announce a full state lockdown starting at 8 p.m. tomorrow. This was the request of all ministers to the chief minister. Now it’s his decision, ”Maharashtra Minister of Health Rajesh Tope said.
Maharashtra’s Urban Development Minister Eknath Shinde said there was no way out other than a complete lockdown, as the state’s health infrastructure is under severe strain. “We demanded a full lockdown at today’s cabinet meeting. Cases are escalating. There is an oxygen shortage. There is no way out but a full lockdown.” , Shinde said.
Food and Civilian Supply Minister Chhagan Bhujbal said: “We have made every effort to minimize the numbers of Covid-19. He will announce the decision (to impose the lockdown) tomorrow after finalizing a procedure detailed standard operational. “
Situation of Covid-19 in Maharashtra
Maharashtra reported 62,907 new cases of Covid-19 and 519 deaths on Tuesday. Of 519 deaths, more than 200 occurred last week and before, but were added to the toll on Tuesday, the health department said. The number of active cases in the state stands at 6,83,856.
Why a stricter lockdown?
Since February, the state has seen a sharp rise in the number of new cases. Restrictions in the form of district lockdowns, local lockdowns, nighttime curfews, have been in place since the last week of February. In April, the state was subjected to Article 144, which prohibits the gathering of more than four people. All stores except those dealing with essential items have also been closed. But an official lockdown has not been announced in the state. The need for an official lockdown is felt as people continue to flout existing restrictions.
The state cabinet also canceled Class 10 exams.
Lockdown as a last resort?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his address to the nation on Tuesday, said the lockdown should be the last resort to tackle the current situation and that more attention should be paid to the creation of micro-containment zones.
As of February, Maharashtra has avoided a full lockdown but, as Cabinet ministers have pointed out, tighter restrictions appear to be the need of the hour in the state.
What will a stricter lock look like?
In all of the curbs that were announced in March and April, public transport was not reduced. This time, if the state opts for a full lockdown, public transport services, including that of Mumbai residents, can be severely cut. The government has already revised the schedule for essential stores and allowed them to operate between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m.