Mumbai wore a deserted look last night as Maharashtra observes night curfew

Pic/Satej Shinde

A sharp rise in the number of active COVID-19 cases has forced the government to impose a night curfew across the state from Sunday (March 28). Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray reviewed the worsening situation on Friday and said action had to be taken because no immediate option is available to counter the increasing transmission.

While the spirit of Holi is in the air, Mumbai police, on Sunday, were seen asking people to vacate beaches and shops.

Pic/Satej Shinde

Officers were also seen shutting eateries on Juhu beach. Mumbai police also tweeted on Sunday about the guidelines related to the curfew.

Very few vehicles were seen on the ever busy Western Express Highway.

Pic/Satej Shinde

The bustling Andheri station saw fewer commuters post curfew timings.

Pic/Satej Shinde

Busy malls of Mumbai like Infiniti Mall, DB Mall were also shut after 8 pm.

Pic/Satej Shinde

The CM explained the rationale behind the restrictions saying that the health apparatus might fall short of providing Covid care in the wake of a second wave.

It is important to prevent crowding by imposing restrictions and ensuring their implementation," he said in a statement after meeting all revenue and civic chiefs, health and police officials and the state's Coronavirus Task Force.

"Consider the future and make healthcare facilities, beds medicine available," Thackeray asked the state machinery.

He said the danger wasn't over but intensified.

"People should understand this, because we don't know the extent of future growth of active cases. Harsh restrictions become necessary in such a situation and the districts where cases have been increasing should impose lockdown, if necessary," he added.

(With inputs from mid-day correspondents)