Maha shuts down as Covid-19 count jumps by 23 to 97 cases

MUMBAI: On a day Maharashtra recorded its biggest 24-hour spike of 23 coronavirus cases, including 17 in Mumbai, chief minister Uddhav Thackeray announced a complete lockdown of the state till March 31 and warned that the pandemic “may go out of hand if not stopped now”.

The number of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases across the state jumped from 53 to 97 in 72 hours.

Large gatherings of people at various places and the long lines of vehicles at toll nakas compelled the Maharashtra government to impose stricter restrictions from Monday, terming it a “curfew”.

The state also announced sealing off inter-district borders to stop the spread of the virus to districts that have not been affected so far. The decision was taken after people in rural Maharashtra expressed apprehension about the transmission of the virus through people coming from Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Pune.

The government has already sealed inter-state borders.

Despite the near-total shutdown since March 22 midnight, with even suburban trains stopped, people were seen venturing out of their homes for “non-essential” work in Mumbai on Monday.

The city saw usual morning peak-hour jams at Dahisar, Mulund and Airoli toll nakas, even as health officials said the city has reported 37 Covid-19 cases so far.

The city has reported two coronavirus deaths so far, but a 68-year-old man from the Philippines who had tested positive for coronavirus but later tested negative died at a private hospital on Monday.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), in a statement, said whether the cause can be attributed to Covid-19 would be ascertained by an expert committee.

On Monday, a 15-year-old boy became the city’s second-youngest Covid-19 patient. He was in close contact with an infected patient and is currently under treatment at civic-run Kasturba Hospital. An 18-year-old girl also tested positive.

While addressing the people of Maharashtra, Thackeray on Monday said, “Despite the lockdown announced, we saw many people on the roads and travelling on highways. Observing Janta Curfew for a day does not end our responsibility. In fact, it is a ‘siren call’ for the war we have to fight. We are at a turning point, and it is a dangerous turn. The next few days are very crucial. After imposing section 144 of the CRPC, we have now decided to impose ‘curfew’ across the state. Nobody will be allowed to venture out of their homes unless it is an emergency. No more than five people will be allowed on the roads.”

Later, Maharashtra chief secretary Ajoy Mehta issued a fivepage notification elaborating on restrictions during the “lockdown”.

Although the CM announced a curfew across the state, the notification does not use the word.

Observing Janta Curfew for a day does not end our responsibility. In fact, it is a ‘siren call’ for the war we have to fight. We are at a turning point...the next few days are very crucial. UDDHAV THACKERAY, chief minister