Maharashtra: Lockdown Expected From April 2 or 3, Administration Begins Preparation

Friyana Munshi

Mumbai, March 30, 2021: April 2 or 3 onwards, a second lockdown may be imposed in Maharashtra for a limited period of time. According to sources, after receiving orders from CM Uddhav Thackeray, the administration has begun preparing for the restrictions to be imposed.

The lockdown is expected to be different when compared to the one last year, as it will be planned in such a way that it would not hamper economic activities as it had done previously, however, the focus will be restricting and preventing crowding to arrest the transmission of the Covid-19 virus from spreading.

“Since the Covid protocol and guidelines have been violated, the administration must prepare for a lockdown and make standard operating procedures available,” the chief minister statement said.

The statement added that the CM was told that the increasing active cases were creating a shortage of beds and other healthcare facilities like ventilators and oxygen.

Sources also stated that places for gathering of people in large numbers would be shut. Multiplexes, cinema halls, beaches, gardens, auditoriums, and malls will be closed 24×7 which are currently operational between 7 am and 8 pm. Time slots will be allotted to standalone shops.

Strict guidelines will be imposed upon large markets. Transport facilities like long-distance/suburban trains and public transport shall operate under strict guidelines. Testing will intensify at railway stations and airports. The manufacturing sector will be allowed to function at full-scale while adhering to Covid-19 protocols and guidelines. The CM instructed the administration to ensure adequate availability of medicine, healthcare, essential services, and civil supplies.

A decision was made that patients must be kept in institutional quarantine/isolation instead of home quarantine. Oxygen production and supply, number of ventilators, and number of intensive care units to be increased. To enhance trained frontline force, private doctors will be roped in. Employees with comorbidities will be encouraged to work from home as stated in the order. Takeaway and home delivery options instead of dine-in will be allowed for bars and eating establishments.