Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar has said there will be no option left, but to impose a strict lockdown in the state if Covid norms continue to be flouted in the state till April 2, when the decision will be taken. Maharashtra has been witnessing an upsurge in Covid-19 cases over the past few weeks with over 5,000 cases being recorded on Thursday.
After a review meeting of the current Covid situation in Pune, Ajit Pawar said on Friday, “Strict restrictions have been imposed for Holi festival. There should not be overcrowding during Holi throughout the state.”
Ajit Pawar went on to warn people to strictly follow the social distancing norms in order to avoid a strict lockdown. “Else from next week, adversely affected areas will face a strict lockdown,” warned Ajit Pawar.
“All officials, medical experts and responsible people who attended this meeting are of the opinion that if the positive patients’ numbers go on increasing, then we won’t have any option but to go for a strict lockdown again,” said Ajit Pawar.
The decision on bringing back the strict lockdown in Maharashtra will be taken next Friday. However, lockdown can happen earlier as well if the situation deteriorates further.
“We are going to monitor the coronavirus cases in the state till April 2 and if we observe that people are not following social distancing norms, then the government won’t be left with any option and we might go for lockdown,” said Ajit Pawar on Friday.
