The Maharashtra government may not lift the current lockdown on 14 April, when the countrywide restrictions end. In a webcast on Saturday, 4 April, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray warned that the decision to extend the lockdown in the state depends on people’s compliance.
CM Thackeray said, “Coronavirus is playing a game of patience with us. There is no dearth of courage, discipline and confidence among people of the state. Self-confidence is important (in this crisis). I have it and I know you have it too. If you have self-confidence then nobody can stop us from emerging victorious (in the battle against coronavirus),” reported Deccan Herald.
Earlier in the day, Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope had also stated that the lockdown period would be extended if the people of the state do not observe discipline and the number of COVID-19 cases rise.
“People must strictly observe discipline. But if they do not (by stepping outside homes unnecessarily) and the number of patients continues to go up, there will remain no other alternative left and the lockdown will have to be extended.”Rajesh Tope, Maharashtra Health Minister to PTI
Tope said people living in densely populated urban areas, in particular, should observe strict discipline.
Speaking to Hindustan Times, Rajesh Tope reportedly said, “We had imposed a complete lockdown in Maharashtra two days before it was in announced across the country. Before that, too, we had imposed restriction in urban areas and shut down public places. Containing the spread [of coronavirus] in a city like Mumbai is a herculean task, and the decision to end the lockdown will have to be taken cautiously and after due deliberation. I personally feel it will have to be extended in Mumbai.”
Maharashtra has recorded 537 COVID-19 cases so far with at least 26 deaths due to the virus.
“Till now we have traced 9 lakh people approximately by deploying 2495 teams. These teams are working in 290 containment zones that we have marked in Mumbai and likewise in other districts. I urge people to cooperate with health workers.”Rajesh Tope, Maharashtra Health Minister to ANI
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