Be mentally prepared for lockdown: Maharashtra health minister Rajesh Tope

People shop for Gudi Padwa in Dadar on Monday. Pic/Ashish Raje

Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Monday advised citizens to be prepared for a lockdown, which could be imposed with prior notice. He said Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has been authorised to take a final call as there were festivals over the next two days.

The CM has discussed the crisis with all stakeholders. There is a strong feeling that a lockdown is needed to check the surge in COVID cases," he said at an online press conference on Monday.

He added that the government was mulling to offer a helping hand to the unorganised workforce and to people who are below poverty line. "The CM and deputy chief minister have discussed the relief, but data is still being compiled by various departments," Tope said.

Tope said he couldn't tell on which day the lockdown was expected to begin. "There are festivals for the next two days. The CM will decide on which day it will begin."

A series of meetings is expected to be held over the next two days, including a weekly cabinet meeting, for facilitating the decision.