Maharashtra bans political, religious, social gatherings; lockdown, night curfew imposed in some areas
Maharashtra on Sunday reported 6,971 new Covid-19 confirmed cases, whereas 2,417 people recovered from the virus in the past 24 hours.
FollowMumbai: Maharashtra, the worst Covid-19-hit state in India, banned political, religious and social gatherings and imposed a new lockdown in some areas on Sunday (February 21, 2021) amid a spike in coronavirus confirmed cases.
The government said only essential services will be allowed to function during the strict seven-day lockdown.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said that in view of the rising Covid-19 cases, all political, religious and social gatherings will be prohibited in the state from February 22. Thackeray said, “The pandemic is raising its head in the state, but whether it is another wave will be known in eight to 15 days. Lockdown may not be the solution to Covid-19, but it is the only option to break the cycle of the virus. Wear mask, maintain discipline and observe social distancing to avoid a lockdown.”
Nashik authorities said night curfew would be enforced in the district between 11 pm to 5 am from Monday till further orders in view of the rise in Covid- 19 cases.
Outbreak protocols will be implemented strictly and those not wearing masks will be fined Rs 1,000, while marriage functions, which seem to be a factor behind the spike, will require police permission and that too with just 100 in attendance, they said.
Essential services such as hospitals, milk supply etc will not be covered in the night curfew, the officials added.
Amravati district in Maharashtra will be placed under lockdown for a week amid rising cases of Covid-19 in the state. Cabinet Minister Yashomati Thakur said the lockdown will kick in from Monday evening.
The government said only essential services will be allowed to function during the strict seven-day lockdown.
Maharashtra on Sunday reported 6,971 new Covid-19 confirmed cases, whereas 2,417 people recovered from the virus in the past 24 hours.
According to the state's health minister Rajesh Tope, Maharashtra's Covid-19 count has now surged to 21,00,884, of which, 19,94,947 have recovered and 51,788 have succumbed to the virus. The state still has 52,956 active coronavirus cases.
