Get Instant Loan up to ₹10 Lakh!
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday announced more strict restrictions in the whole state and imposed Section 144 starting from 8 pm today for a period of 15 days. The restrictions will be in effect till 7am, 1 May. "All establishments, public places, activities to remain closed. Essential services exempted, their operations to be unrestricted," according to a notification by the Maharashtra government.
"Section 144 to be imposed in the entire state from tomorrow. I will not term this as lockdown," he said.
The decision was taken after the state is witnessing a fresh surge in the covid-19 cases. The state of Maharashtra is continually reporting over 50,000 new covid-19 cases for the last few days.
The CM made an emotional appeal, seeking people's support for successful implementation of the curbs.
I appeal to people to help the state. I want to know whether people are on the side of coronavirus or the state that wants to break the chain of its spread, he said.
"I will speak to the Prime Minister to request him to provide us Indian Air Force assistance in the supply of oxygen for medical use from nearby states," said Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray.
Cinema halls, theatres, auditoriums, amusement parks, gyms, sports complexes to be closed. Shooting for films, serial,ads to be closed. All shops, malls,shopping centres not performing essential services to also remain closed from 8pm, 14 April till 7am, 1 May.
"All places of worship, schools and colleges, private coaching classes, barbershops, spas, salons and beauty parlous will remain closed from tomorrow till 7am on 1st May," according to the official notification.
"Local train and bus services for essential services only, petrol pumps, financial institutions associated with SEBI and construction work to continue, hotel/ restaurants to remain closed only take-away, home deliveries allowed," said Uddhav Thackeray.
"E-commerce will be only allowed for the delivery of essential goods and services. No religious, social, cultural or political functions allowed," according to the Maharashtra government.
Uddhav Thackeray credited the people and doctors for the fall in the covid-19 cases of the state in December. He said that the current situation is " scary". He further said that with the rise in new cases the health infrastructure in the state is overburdened. The CM added that all the oxygen produced are being used for medical purposes and also highlighted the shortages of beds in the hospitals. He also highlighted the shortage of life-saving drug Remdisivir in the state.
Maharashtra is the worst-affected state in the country in terms of the number of COVID-19 cases and fatalities.
"We've to break the chain of transmission of infection. We could have avoided lockdown if the number of cases was less. The government will do its best to save lives," said Maharashtra Minister Aslam Sheikh.
Earlier Maharashtra minister Aslam Sheikh said on Sunday there was unanimity among all stakeholders over the need of imposing a lockdown in the state, which has the highest number of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases in the country, adding that SOPs and guidelines are likely to be discussed in another meeting scheduled for tomorrow.
Catch all the Business News , Breaking News Events and Latest News Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates.