Maharashtra: Lockdown may be extended till end of May, says CM Uddhav Thackeray amid COVID-19 crisis
Mumbai: The lockdown imposed in Maharashtra due to coronavirus outbreak may be extended till May end in red zones, hinted Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Friday. The state govt is keeping a close eye on the COVID-19 situation in Mumbai and Pune metropolitan regions which have contributed to nearly 90 per cent of Maharashtra’s total coronavirus cases.
During an all-party leaders’ meeting via video conference, Uddhav Thackeray said that the lockdown in the state’s red zones may be extended till the end of May in order to check the further spread of coronavirus, which has infected nearly 18,000 people in the state.
MNS chief Raj Thackeray, who was among the attendees, said SPRF personnel should be deployed in containment zones, especially in Mumbai. He also suggested the government to announce its exit plan 10-15 days in advance in order to avoid confusion.
Former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ridiculed the state government over its decision to open liquor shops and demanded a relief package to overcome the financial loss incurred by the industrial sector.
“Asymptomatic patients should be tested. The state should announce a fiscal package to revive the industrial sector. Plans to restart the economy should be worked out now,” he said.
There were some other leaders at the conference who spoke of stranded migrants and of the lack of coordination in administration which had resulted in flipflops such as revised orders on the opening of liquor and standalone shops.
Grim situation in Maharashtra
Maharastra continues to bear the maximum brunt of the coronavirus pandemic with 17,974 confirmed cases and 694 deaths.
Mumbai Metropolitan Region alone accounts for 472 COVID-19 deaths and 13,717 infections so far. Pune region trails a distant second with 141 fatalities and 2,406 patients.
The next area of concern is Nashik Division with 31 deaths and 715 positive cases, followed by Aurangabad Division with 13 fatalities and 468 patients and finally, Akola Division with 21 deaths and 290 patients.
