CM Thackeray to announce complete lockdown tomorrow, hints Maharashtra minister
Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope added that the decision on this matter will be announced at 8:00 PM tomorrow, i.e. April 21. Maharashtra is already under strict restrictions in order to curb the surging COVID-19 cases in the state
BusinessToday.In | April 20, 2021 | Updated 20:01 IST
Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope
Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope stated on Tuesday that all state ministers have requested Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray to impose a complete lockdown in Maharashtra. He added that the decision on this matter will be announced at 8:00 PM tomorrow, i.e. April 21. Maharashtra is already under strict restrictions in order to curb the surging COVID-19 cases in the state.
Chief minister Uddhav Thackeray is expected to make a formal announcement in this regard on Wednesday. We have requested the chief minister to announce a complete lockdown in the state from tomorrow at 8 pm. This was the request of all ministers to CM, now it is his decision, Maharashtra health minister Rajesh Tope told the reporters after a cabinet meeting. Tomorrow after 8pm, the CM will announce the decision on lockdown in the state, he added.
Meanwhile, the Maharashtra government has decided to cancel class 10 exam of the state board.
Maharashtra has been reporting over 50,000 coronavirus cases every day in the last two weeks but people are flouting the existing restrictions on movement and gatherings, the minister said.
Synopsis
In Aurangabad and Solapur, essential services shop would be allowed to open till 1pm only. The Ahmednagar administration, too, has announced that for the next 14 days, barring medical shops, all essential businesses, including petrol pumps, would be allowed to open only for four hours.
PTI
Maharashtra government officials have said that they would be taking stock of the situation and that tougher restrictions like the ones in Ahmednagar and Solapur might be introduced in the entire state.
As Covid-19 cases rise despite the state government imposing partial restrictions, Maharashtra is now heading for a full lockdown where even essential services could be curtailed. Several Covid-19 affected districts, including Mumbai, have decided to impose tougher restrictions.
Synopsis
Speaking to reporters here, the Relief and Rehabilitation Minister also said the state government will study the lockdown imposed by the Delhi government before taking any decision.
Agencies
The Maharashtra government had imposed 15-day-long lockdown-like restrictions from April 14 to curb the transmission of coronavirus.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray is expected to decide on a strict lockdown in the next two days as the present restrictions are not yielding the desired results to curb COVID-19, state minister Vijay Wadettiwar said on Monday.
Speaking to reporters here, the Relief and Rehabilitation Minister also said the state government will study the lockdown imposed by the Delhi government before taking any decision.
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Amid talk of an extended lockdown in Maharashtra, state minister Aslam Shaikh has said the government will come up with fresh restrictions to curb the coronavirus spread on Tuesday itself. Speaking to reporters, the Mumbai guardian minister also said the state government will also have to decide guidelines regarding the people returning from Kumbh mela in Haridwar as COVID-19 appropriate behaviour was not followed at that congregation. Maharashtra chief minister has already spoken to members of the COVID-19 task force. He also held discussions with political leaders including those from Opposition parties, and with members of industries. We tried a weekend lockdown, night curfew and other measures.