<p>More cities continue to come under restrictions in Maharashtra as the February-March surge in Covid-19 cases threatens to disrupt the normalcy like the previous year. </p>.<p>In India’s worst-affected district of Pune, the government decided to shut schools till March 31 and shut hotels, restaurants, and bars after 10 pm even as the night-restrictions will continue.</p>.<p>However, there are no immediate plans for a lockdown in Mumbai, the financial capital of India.</p>.<p>Over the weekend, the Maharashtra government would undertake a review and come up with further restrictions in the state.</p>.<p><strong>Read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/six-states-account-for-over-85-of-new-covid-19-cases-961138.html" target="_blank">Six states account for over 85% of new Covid-19 cases</a></strong></p>.<p>Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had indicated that there could be lockdown measures in some places across the state. He has also asked the District Collectors, Municipal Commissioners, Police Commissioners and Superintendents of Police to take calls depending on the situation.</p>.<p>On Friday, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar reviewed the situation of the twin cities of Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad and the larger Pune metropolitan region (PMR), which accounts for the maximum active cases in the country.</p>.<p>While Pune already has night-restrictions, Divisional Commissioner Saurabh Rao said schools and colleges will remain closed till 31 March, hotels and restaurants will be allowed to function till 10 pm, and food deliveries will be permitted till 11 pm. Apart from this, only 50 persons will be permitted to gather at weddings, funerals and political and other social events while public gardens and parks would be closed.</p>.<p><strong>Read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/west/maharashtras-covid-19-surge-due-to-gram-panchayat-polls-disregard-for-rules-experts-961106.html" target="_blank">Maharashtra's Covid-19 surge due to gram panchayat polls, disregard for rules: Experts</a></strong></p>.<p>The Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education is in Pune and the government will ensure that the preparations for the 10th and 12th board examinations are not affected.</p>.<p>Meanwhile, the government also announced a weekend lockdown in Parbhani. “We have decided that a lockdown will be imposed Friday night from 12 am up to Monday morning 6 am,” state Minority Affairs Minister Nawab Malik said.</p>.<p>Meanwhile, in Nagpur, where Guardian Minister Dr Nitin Raut announced a 15-21 March lockdown, people are unhappy. “The government has not consulted us before announcing the decision,” said Mayor Dayashankar Tiwari.</p>.<p>In Mumbai, Additional Municipal Commissioner Suresh Kakani said that in Mumbai cases are rising but the situation under control. “Nearly 90 per cent of the cases are reported from buildings and highrises...we are taking measures accordingly. Lockdown is not on agenda, we have to follow the three-pronged strategy of wearing masks, wash and sanitize hands and maintain social distancing,” he said.</p>.<p>Meanwhile, Dr. Ishwar Gilada, Secretary-General, Organised Medicine Academic Guild, said that vaccination needs to be ramped up and cover people with co-morbidities.</p>
<p>More cities continue to come under restrictions in Maharashtra as the February-March surge in Covid-19 cases threatens to disrupt the normalcy like the previous year. </p>.<p>In India’s worst-affected district of Pune, the government decided to shut schools till March 31 and shut hotels, restaurants, and bars after 10 pm even as the night-restrictions will continue.</p>.<p>However, there are no immediate plans for a lockdown in Mumbai, the financial capital of India.</p>.<p>Over the weekend, the Maharashtra government would undertake a review and come up with further restrictions in the state.</p>.<p><strong>Read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/six-states-account-for-over-85-of-new-covid-19-cases-961138.html" target="_blank">Six states account for over 85% of new Covid-19 cases</a></strong></p>.<p>Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had indicated that there could be lockdown measures in some places across the state. He has also asked the District Collectors, Municipal Commissioners, Police Commissioners and Superintendents of Police to take calls depending on the situation.</p>.<p>On Friday, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar reviewed the situation of the twin cities of Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad and the larger Pune metropolitan region (PMR), which accounts for the maximum active cases in the country.</p>.<p>While Pune already has night-restrictions, Divisional Commissioner Saurabh Rao said schools and colleges will remain closed till 31 March, hotels and restaurants will be allowed to function till 10 pm, and food deliveries will be permitted till 11 pm. Apart from this, only 50 persons will be permitted to gather at weddings, funerals and political and other social events while public gardens and parks would be closed.</p>.<p><strong>Read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/west/maharashtras-covid-19-surge-due-to-gram-panchayat-polls-disregard-for-rules-experts-961106.html" target="_blank">Maharashtra's Covid-19 surge due to gram panchayat polls, disregard for rules: Experts</a></strong></p>.<p>The Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education is in Pune and the government will ensure that the preparations for the 10th and 12th board examinations are not affected.</p>.<p>Meanwhile, the government also announced a weekend lockdown in Parbhani. “We have decided that a lockdown will be imposed Friday night from 12 am up to Monday morning 6 am,” state Minority Affairs Minister Nawab Malik said.</p>.<p>Meanwhile, in Nagpur, where Guardian Minister Dr Nitin Raut announced a 15-21 March lockdown, people are unhappy. “The government has not consulted us before announcing the decision,” said Mayor Dayashankar Tiwari.</p>.<p>In Mumbai, Additional Municipal Commissioner Suresh Kakani said that in Mumbai cases are rising but the situation under control. “Nearly 90 per cent of the cases are reported from buildings and highrises...we are taking measures accordingly. Lockdown is not on agenda, we have to follow the three-pronged strategy of wearing masks, wash and sanitize hands and maintain social distancing,” he said.</p>.<p>Meanwhile, Dr. Ishwar Gilada, Secretary-General, Organised Medicine Academic Guild, said that vaccination needs to be ramped up and cover people with co-morbidities.</p>