Maharashtra may be moving towards another lockdown

“In some days we have to take a decision, in some places decision of lockdown needs to be taken,” Thackeray said

Amid the nearly month-long surge in Covid-19 cases in Maharashtra, the government is preparing for another phase of lockdown. However, it would be selectively done in cities and urban conglomerations where cases are unusually high.

In terms of Covid-19 cases on a 24-hour-basis, the state is reporting cases similar to the first fortnight of last October. The assertion came from Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray himself, who drove to the Sir JJ Hospital to take a vaccine on Thursday.

Over the weekend, the government is expected to have a detailed review of the emerging situation and take a final call on the steps to be taken, which would include measures like lockdown, night-curfew and restricted movement of people.

Also read — Covid-19: Complete lockdown in Nagpur for a week from March 15

“Coronavirus cases are on the rise but the situation has not gone out of hand,” Thackeray told reporters in Mumbai. “In few days we have to arrive at a decision, in some places a decision of lockdown needs to be taken,” Thackeray said.

According to him, cases are increasing in some places, however, people need to take care and follow protocols and SOPs. “All those who are eligible for a vaccine at this stage should get it,” he said.

In Maharashtra, over the last week, cases have increased by around 11,000 on an average, while in the Mumbai metropolitan region (MMR) more than 2,000 cases are being reported daily. Cases are also on rise in places like Pune, Nashik, Aurangabad, Nagpur and Amravati.

In Pune, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar would review the situation on Friday and decide on the measures that needs to be taken besides the current movement restrictions during the night hours.

In Nagpur, state Energy Minister Dr Nitin Raut announced a lockdown in Nagpur city between 15-21 March, however, there are no curbs on movement of essential services.

The Amravati city is already under lockdown, while Aurangabad and Nashik have various measures to ensure that less people are on road.

As far as the MMR comprising the twin districts of Mumbai City and Mumbai Suburban and large parts of neighbouring districts of Thane, Palghar and Raigad is a big area of concern as here the cases have largely shot up because of the rush in public transport particularly the suburban local trains of Central Railway (CR) and Western Railway (WR).

From Wednesday, night curfew was imposed in Nandurbar, while Dhule district administration called for a four day janata-curfew.

In the financial capital of Mumbai, the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation is shifting focus from slums to buildings and high rises.

Additional Municipal Commissioner Suresh Kakani has asked people to ensure that they follow Covid appropriate behaviour. “Most of the cases are coming from buildings, 90% or more so now. We have shifted our focus from densely populated areas, slums, to buildings," Kakani said.

BMC has warned that if Covid-19 positive patients and high-risk individuals violate home-quarantine norms they would be put in institutional quarantine.