No trains if people don't stop non-essential travel: Thackeray

Amid rising cases of novel coronavirus in Maharashtra, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday said the government would be forced to take the "harsh decision" to stop bus and train services in Mumbai if people don't avoid unnecessary travel.

Talking to reporters here after the weekly state cabinet meeting, Thackeray also appealed people to avoid unnecessary travel and gathering.

He said there would be no holiday for seven days to government offices as was reported in a section of media.

Thackeray the administration was working on allowing functioning of government offices with 50 per cent strength.

As of Tuesday, there are 40 persons in Maharashtra who have tested coronavirus positive, he said. A Covid-19 patient has died, he added.

The condition of 39 coronavirus positive patients is stable, while one is critical, he said. These patients include 26 men and 14 women, Thackeray said.

Thackeray said prevailing situation in the state and the steps taken to curb the spread of coronavirus were discussed at the cabinet meeting.

"There will be no closure of government offices and public transport in Mumbai. But if people don't exercise restraint and don't avoid non-essential travel, we will be forced to take the harsh decision," Thackeray said.

"As of now there are 40 persons in Maharashtra who have tested positive for coronavirus and one such patient has died. The condition of 39 patients is stable while one is critical. The patients include 26 men and 14 women," he said.

He said the decision of shopkeepers in Pune to shut down their establishments on their own was worth emulating by others.

"It would be good if shopkeepers in other cities shut down their establishments on their own except in case of essential services like grocery supply," he said.

The government has so far not taken a decision to shut down bus and train service, he said. "These are essential services and we don't intend to stop that. Traffic has reduced considerably. People should venture out of their homes only during an emergency," he said.

"We are working on how to ensure working of government offices with a minimum attendance," he said.

"If not required, don't venture out of homes. We don't wish to take harsh steps. People understand the gravity of this prevailing situation. Those who have the stamp of self- quarantine should stay at home. The next 15 days are crucial. People need to exercise self-discipline," he said.

All places of religious worship should be closed down (for some time) in order to avoid crowds, he said.