Stick to mask, more relief on the way: Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope

Rajesh Tope, state health minister

Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Thursday said the state government has eased Covid-19 restrictions in the recent past, but people should continue to wear a face mask and follow other precautionary measures. Talking to reporters in Kolhapur, Tope also said there was no need to impose more curbs in the coming days.

Maharashtra on Wednesday reported 7,142 new Covid-19 cases, 1,035 more than the day before, while the death toll rose by 92 to reach 1,43,247, as per the state health department. Amid a significant drop in cases in Mumbai, Mayor Kishori Pednekar had on Tuesday hinted that the city would be unlocked by the end of this month and underlined the need for resumption of all activities.

Tope on Thursday said, "The Maharashtra government has introduced many relaxations in the past few weeks and it will introduce more in coming days. However, it does not mean that people need not wear masks in the coming days."

"The decision of some western countries to allow people to do away with face coverings needs to be studied scientifically. There had been no discussion on making Maharashtra mask-free," the minister added. He said the state is in touch with the Union government's task force. "It is not necessary to impose additional restrictions in the coming days, as the daily cases are on a decline," he said.

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever