Coronavirus: Maharashtra CM urges people to follow COVID-19 protocols to avoid lockdown
Deputy CM Ajit Pawar on Sunday hinted at a Covid-induced lockdown in the coming days in the state owing to huge crowds witnessed during the recently concluded festival period.
FollowMumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday urged the people of the state not to lower their guard against Covid-19 and follow the safety protocols strictly in order to avoid imposition of another lockdown.
Deputy CM Ajit Pawar on Sunday hinted at a Covid-induced lockdown in the coming days in the state owing to huge crowds witnessed during the recently concluded festival period.
"There were huge crowds during the Diwali period. Even at the time of Ganesha Chaturthi, we saw crowds. We are speaking to relevant departments. We'll review the situation for next 8-10 days and then a decision will be taken about the lockdown," said Pawar in Pune.
"Now there are predictions that a second wave may come. Government has made a lot of regulations to start schools, which includes different ways on how they should be sanitized," he further said.
Meanwhile, CM Thackeray appealed to people not to ignore safety measures as it can trigger a second or third wave "like a tsunami".
"In the past, we celebrated all our festivals with caution. Be it Ganeshotsav or Dussehra. Even while celebrating Diwali, I requested you to not burst crackers and you followed. And because of this, the war against Covid is in our control," he said in a televised address to the state.
"But I am a bit angry with you all. I had already said after Diwali there will be overcrowding. I have seen many people not wearing masks. Don't think Covid is over. Don't be so careless. Be in western countries, Delhi or Ahmedabad. This second and third wave is strong like a tsunami. Ahmedabad has even enforced night curfews," Thackeray said.
The state government has allowed reopening of schools for classes 9 to 12 from today depending on the Covid-19 situation in local areas.
The chief minister added that youths are getting infected by not following the safety protocol and they are passing on the infection to the senior citizens in their families.
“It is really sad that people whom we had protected all these months, get infected due to the younger members in the family,” he said.
Thackeray said confusion still prevails over the availability of vaccination and medicines for treatment of Covid-19.
"Covid is not dying because of overcrowding. In fact, is going to grow. The vaccine is still not out, and we don't know when it will come out. Even if it comes out in December, then when will it come to Maharashtra? Maharashtra has 12 crore people. And it needs to be given twice. So, we will need vaccine for 25 crore people. So please take care of yourself. It will take time," he said.
