Maha mulls month-end curbs amid 3rd wave talk

MUMBAI: Amid the possibility of the third wave of Covid-19 infections, the Maharashtra government has started deliberations on reimposing curbs to restrict crowding and contain the spread of the virus. Although the restrictions are unlikely to be rolled out immediately, the state government may think of night curfew or restrictions on gatherings after the Ganesh festival, which starts on September 10.

The state government expects a rise in Covid-19 cases between September 15 and the first week of October, which could be the beginning of the third wave, according to state health officials. Opening up of activities, local trains for the general public two weeks ago and the crowding during the festivals are expected to lead to a rise in daily cases, which currently hover around 4,800 a day.

Mumbai’s guardian minister Aslam Shaikh said restrictions could be reimposed by September-end if cases rose significantly. He said there was no immediate need for night curfew or prohibition on assembly of people. “According to the task force, cases may increase by September-end and it may necessitate the resumption of restrictions. If people follow Covid-19 appropriate behaviour rigorously, there would not be a rise in the number of cases,” he said.

On Wednesday, the state reported 4,456 new Covid-19 cases and 183 fresh deaths, taking the case tally to 6,469,332 and the toll to 137,496. Mumbai saw a rise in cases with the addition of 415 infections on Wednesday — its highest daily caseload in 44 days.

Around 70% of the state’s Covid-19 caseload comes from five western Maharashtra districts — Pune, Ahmednagar, Satara, Solapur, Sangli — which are high on almost all Covid-19 parameters, including growth and positivity rate. Of the 44,366 patients registered during August 22-31, 30,888 or 70% are from these districts.

Chief minister Uddhav Thack