Lockdown in Maharashtra? Ministers bat for longer curbs; announcement soon!

Maharashtra's state minister Aslam Shaikh today said the state government will come up with fresh restrictions to curb the coronavirus spread today itself.

"Maharashtra chief minister has already spoken to members of the COVID-19 task force. He also held discussions with political leaders including those from Opposition parties, and with members of industries. We tried a weekend lockdown, night curfew and other measures.

"We will come up with fresh guidelines today to break the chain of coronavirus. There will be a standard operating procedure for the entire state, which will be announced (on Tuesday) itself," he said.

Speaking to mediapersons, the Mumbai guardian minister also said the state government will also have to decide guidelines regarding the people returning from Kumbh mela in Haridwar as COVID-19 appropriate behaviour was not followed at that congregation.

Shaikh said the government has spoken to traders and members of industries and tried to understand their concerns. He, however, said the COVID-19 situation is still under control in the state.

Shaikh said the government was adding 5,300 more beds to the health infrastructure, of which 70 per cent of beds will have the oxygen supply facility."....Some people want to get admitted to private hospitals, where the waiting period is more," the Congress leader said.

CM Uddhav Thackeray:

Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had hinted at the imposition of an extended lockdown in the state to curb the surge in cases while addressing an all-party meeting last week.

On Sunday, he held a meeting with members of the state COVID-19 task force and said a standard operating procedure (SoP) will be prepared after holding consultations.

Commenting on views expressed by members of the COVID-19 task force, Shaikh said, "Some members said that if a lockdown is to be announced, it should be for a period of minimum 21 days while others demanded that the lockdown should be for 14 days".

Shaikh also said the government was assessing the possible implications of lockdown.

According to the minister, the rise in the number of cases in Maharashtra can be attributed to increased testing.

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