Maharashtra to impose lockdown amid rising Omicron cases ! Uddhav Thackeray statement

Despite the rise in new cases of the Omicron coronavirus variant in Maharashtra, start fear to impose lockdown in state. Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray made big statement, CM Uddhav Thackeray said that Maharashtra government has clearly ruled out any kind of restrictions/lockdown in the state.

Maharashtra tally of Omicron cases rose to 17 after Mumbai detected three fresh cases of the strain, prompting authorities to impose section 144 (ban on large gatherings) for 48 hours. An official informed that the restrictions were imposed within the Commissionerate limits of Mumbai, prohibiting rallies and protest marches involving people and vehicles.

Addressing the media a few days ago, Maharashtra Health Minister, Rajesh Tope said, “We are not thinking about any lockdown in the Maharashtra as of now. The state task force has given no such directions. We shall closely keep a tab on the situation and take a call on any curbs following the guidance of the Centre, state task force and the chief minister.”

Maharashtra minister Tope also said that the state is adopting the 3T approach of tracking, tracing, and testing. He said, “For genome sequence, we have currently three labs. We will expand the facility further in Nagpur and Aurangabad.”

If reports are to be believed, industry bodies and traders have asked to not take any strict step as it ‘may hamper the slowly recovering economy. Besides, Opposition parties have reportedly also warned the Maharashtra against any move that would hit the livelihood of common people.

The Centre, on the other hand, has asked states/UTs to impose restrictions, night curfew in the districts where the infection rate is more than 5 per cent. “Regular meetings are being organized to keep a watch on global scenario and Covid scene in India with a focus on Omicron. We need help to not spread panic. District level restrictions to be implemented where positivity over 5%”,  Balram Bhargava, DG, ICMR said.

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Reportedly, Maharashtra is expected to see a rise in Omicron cases since 1,349 people have travelled from other countries to Maharashtra Raigad in the last eight days. 594 travellers arrived in Panvel, 150 travellers in Mangaon, 116 travellers in Panvel rural, 105 travellers in Mahad, 83 travellers in Shrivardhan, 170 travellers in Mhasala, 28 travellers in Alibaug.