Weekend lockdown, night curfew in Maharashtra to curb rising Covid cases

The state reported nearly 50,000 cases on Saturday; Mumbai reported over 9,000 cases for the first time since the pandemic began last year

A lockdown has been announced in Maharashtra over the weekends from Friday 8 pm to Monday 7 am to contain the fresh wave of coronavirus infections.

Along with that, the Maharashtra government will also enforce a strict night curfew from 8 pm to 7 am daily. During this period only essential services will be permitted. 

"Apart from the weekend lockdown, strict restrictions will be in force from 8 pm tomorrow, under which shopping malls, bars, restaurants,small shops will be open only for take-aways and parcels. Government offices will be allowed to function only at 50 per cent of their capacity," state minister Nawab Malik said after the cabinet meeting.

Industries and production sector, vegetable markets will function with SoPs and construction sites will operate if there is accommodation facility for workers.

The state reported nearly 50,000 cases on Saturday.

Earlier during the day, Uddhav Thackeray led a cabinet meeting though video-conference to discuss the coronavirus situation in the state. 

State capital Mumbai on Saturday reported over 9,000 cases for the first time since the pandemic began last year. Around 681 buildings in the city have been sealed. Maharashtra alone accounts for more than half of the total active caseload of the country, according to the data with health ministry.

Pune, which is seeing an alarming spike in cases is already under a 12-hour night curfew, shutting down malls, religious places, and hotels for a week.

Yesterday, Varsha Gaikwad announced that all board students from classes 1 to 8 will be promoted without the examinations in view of the current coronavirus situation.

In a brief video message, the Maharashtra's education minister said that decision regarding students of class 9 and 11 will soon be taken.

Thackeray, who chaired a meeting on Friday with bureaucrats, painted a grim picture of the Covid-19 situation. The Maharashtra chief minister had warned of a lockdown if the situation did not improve.

He urged rival political parties and critics to come forward and help frontline workers and assist the state in mobilising extra doctors. 

(With inputs from agencies)