'Lockdown on cards in Maharashtra', warns Ajit Pawar, decision after April 2

Mumbai, Mar 26: Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar has said there will be no option left, but to impose a strict lockdown in the state if Covid guidelines will not be allowed in the state till April 2, when the decision will be taken. Maharashtra has been witnessing an upsurge in COVID-19 cases over the past few weeks with over 30,000 cases being recorded on Thursday.

 

India on Friday registered over 59,000 coronavirus cases which is the biggest daily spike of 2021. A day before Maharashtra reported the highest daily new cases in the country at 31,855 (59.57%).

 

Ajit Pawar said on Friday, "Strict restrictions have been imposed for Holi festival. There should not be overcrowding during Holi throughout the state." He has also warned people to strictly follow the guidelines in order to avoid a strict lockdown. "Else from next week, adversely affected areas will face a strict lockdown," said Ajit Pawar.

 

“All officials, medical experts and people who attended this meeting are of the opinion that if the positive patients’ numbers go on increasing, then we won't have any option but to go for a strict lockdown again,” said Ajit Pawar.

 

The decision on bringing back the strict lockdown in Maharashtra will be taken next Friday. However, lockdown can happen earlier as well if the situation deteriorates further.

 

“We are going to monitor the coronavirus cases in the state till April 2 and if we observe that people are not following social distancing norms, then the government won't be left with any option and we might go for lockdown,” said Ajit Pawar on Friday.

 

 

Listing out the current restrictions in place, Ajit Pawar said, "Malls, markets, and cinema theatres should strictly maintain the 50% occupancy norm. Only 50 guests, including family members, are allowed for marriage ceremonies."

 

Pawar added, “All of the jumbo Covid hospitals are partially functional now and will be made fully operational by the first week of April. We are taking 50% beds from all private hospitals for treatment of Covid-19 patients. Only 20 people will be allowed for the last rites of a person.”