Lockdown in Mumbai! Mayor Kishori Pednekar hints effect may be made on Friday.

Mumbai : Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar has hinted towards a lockdown in the city soon. She told media that an announcement to the effect may be made on Friday. The city has reported a massive spike of 8,646 new Covid-19 cases within 24 hours, and 18 deaths.

The numbers have pushed the total number of cases to 4,23,360 and the death toll to 11,704. Sources in the Maharashtra government had on Wednesday told that the state will not see a complete lockdown, but district-wise stringent restrictions and containment zones, the SOPs for which were likely to be made public by April 2.

State Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has asked officials to prepare fresh SOPs on further restrictions to be implemented amid a rise in Covid-19 cases, and deaths. While Thackeray had directed the administrative machinery to prepare for a complete lockdown, there has been a severe pushback from both the MVA allies NCP and Congress.

According to them, a complete lockdown would result in economic harm. Meanwhile, associations related to cinema, retail, and shopping industries on Thursday urged Thackeray to not impose a lockdown in Maharashtra where Covid-19 cases continue to rise.