Mumbai: CM Uddhav Thackeray urges citizens to not send state back to square one

CM Uddhav Thackeray got the first dose of Covaxin manufactured by Bharat Biotech on Thursday

In an online address to the state on Thursday, CM Uddhav Thackeray urged citizens to not send the state back to when COVID-19 cases were at the peak. With the announcement of a strict lockdown in Nagpur, on Thursday, and a sharp spike in cases in other places, he said the situation would be reviewed to decide on mitigation efforts in the rest of Maharashtra.

After getting vaccinated at JJ hospital on Thursday, Thackeray said, "The cases are increasing fast. We will have to think about imposing lockdown in some places. We will decide on this very soon," he told the media persons.

He said it was important for people to take precautions and get vaccinated as early as possible. He said that people should stop crowding at public places and follow the protocol of physical distancing and wearing masks.

"I have taken the vaccine. There are no side effects. So, people should also get vaccinated," he said. According to information from the Chief Minister's Office, Thackeray took Covaxin manufactured by Bharat Biotech.

On Thursday, the local administration imposed a lockdown in Nagpur where all things expect essential services would be shut between March 15 and 21. Several district and divisional headquarters have a partial lockdown-like situation, with a strong possibility of the restrictions getting stricter like last year.

CM's address

On Thursday evening, the CM addressed the state online to speak on the unrest that the postponement of the state public service commission (MPSC) examinations has caused among candidates.

The exams have been postponed at least four times since last year. Following Thursday's announcement, aggrieved candidates blocked the traffic and staged protests in several cities and towns. All political parties swung into action to support the aspirants.

Explaining the commission's decision, Thackeray reiterated the possibility of a lockdown where needed. He said that the state machinery needs to make arrangements for a safe environment during the exam. "The age bar will not affect your chances. The new exam date will be declared tomorrow. I have directed the chief secretary to hold the exam within the next eight days," he said, appealing to the youths to stay away from parties that are misleading them for political gain.

Violation of home quarantine

Thackeray said he did not want to impose a lockdown, but people have been careless and deliberately avoiding testing. "People fear that if tested positive, they will have to go to institutional quarantine. We have allowed home quarantine but entire families are getting infected when one person is in home quarantine, particularly an asymptomatic one, and does not follow protocols. Infected people are going out," he said.

The CM also said that he had information on families having a positive patient/s and not responding to the government staff's home visits for a survey. "People tell the neighbours to lock their home from outside to avoid the visiting health workers," he said.

"We shouldn't reach or cross the September peak, or else we have to start at A, B, C, D again," he said.