COVID-19 cases rise in Maharashtra: What CM Uddhav Thackeray said about Lockdown

Mumbai: As Maharashtra logged more than 25,000 new Covid-19 cases on Thursday and friday, the highest single-day spike, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said that a lockdown is an option but he trusts people to follow the norms on their own.

He also said that the coronavirus situation has become grimmer as the number of new cases on Thursday crossed the earlier highest rise which was recorded in September and appealed to people to get vaccinated against the virus without fear. “I see lockdown as an option going ahead. But I trust people of the state to cooperate (and follow the COVID-19 norms voluntarily) like the last time,” he said.

Thursday and Friday, the state recorded more than 25,000 new cases in the last 24 hours. Earlier in the day, the state government issued fresh measures applicable till 31st March 2021. As per the government directive, all drama theatres and auditoriums will be operating at 50% capacity and one will not be able to enter the premises without wearing proper masks.

The authorities need to ensure that all Covid-19 guidelines are being followed at the premises. The directive also said that all private offices, except related to health and essential services, will function at 50% capacity. Meanwhile, The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Friday announced that it will make the Rapid Antigen Test facility to take samples for Covid-19 testing compulsory for all malls in the city. The new rule will come into effect from 22 March.

If visitors don’t have a negative Covid-19 test report, they will have to get a Rapid Antigen Test done at the entrance of the shopping mall. “A team will be designated at the entrance for this very purpose. The details are being worked out,” the Mumbai civic body said.