COVID-19 surge: Maharashtra mulling total lockdown

File Pic

Relief and rehabilitation minister Vijay Wadettiwar said on Monday that the government is mulling a total lockdown because the curfew and other harsh restrictions have not helped much in achieving a desired goal of breaking the chain of infection. Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray will decide on it in a couple of days, added the minister.

"We haven't imposed a lockdown, but it is a curfew and some harsh restrictions. The situation now is that traders, retailers and businessmen, who opposed lockdown earlier, are now demanding a complete lockdown. We have conveyed the public sentiment to the CM, who will decide on it in a couple of days," said Wadettiwar.

However, the total lockdown won't affect essential services, he said. "We will discuss the plan with all before releasing it. We will also study Delhi's lockdown."

"The restrictions/lockdown could be extended beyond April 30, if need be," he added.

Time window for shops

Health minister Rajesh Tope said there was a need to regulate crowding at grocery shops and vegetable markets. "Such establishments should be allowed a time window to operate, say between 7 am to 11am. People who roam around for no reason or in the name of buying groceries should also be restrained. I think such decisions are coming up very soon," said Tope, after attending a meeting with deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar.