Uddhav Thackeray says restrictions owing to a sudden spurt in cases over the past few days
Devotees gather for immersion of Charkop Cha Raja as part of Maghi Ganeshotsav, at Kandivli, on Sunday. Pic/Satej Shinde
Religious, social and political gatherings will be banned across Maharashtra from Monday, February 22, owing to an increase in COVID cases, said Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. Telling people to follow “COVID-appropriate” behaviour and safety norms, the CM said on Sunday that he would observe the situation for a week to 15 days before deciding whether to impose another lockdown.
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“Wear masks, observe discipline and maintain social distancing to avoid another lockdown,” Thackeray told the people of the state.
In a televised address against the backdrop of the sudden surge in coronavirus cases, he said the number of daily infection cases has risen from 2,500 to 7,000 within 15 days.
“The pandemic is raising its head in the state again, but whether this is a second wave will be known in eight to 15 days,” he said.
Till a few days ago, the daily spike of cases was between 2,000 and 2,500, he said.
There are 53,000 active cases in the state. Even in cities like Amravati, the spike being witnessed now was not so high when the state saw a peak in COVID-19 cases earlier, he said, adding, “This is alarming”.
“We felt that the pandemic was under control and a lot of hard work had gone into bringing it under control,” the chief minister said.
“Religious, social and political gatherings will be prohibited in the state from tomorrow. Political agitations with crowds will have to be stopped for some time...All of us need to expand and spread our political base including myself, my allies and the opposition parties. But let us not spread coronavirus,” he said.
People should follow ‘Mi zababdar’ (I am responsible) campaign, he said. “In the war against the virus there is no sword as yet but face mask is the only shield. Vaccination has begun.
Trials of two more vaccines are on. It is only after that common citizens will get doses,” he said.
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