15-day curfew in mumbai
Reeling under the ferocity of a renewed Covid-19 crisis, which saw more than 60,000 new cases and over 280 deaths on Tuesday, the Maharashtra government imposed severe restrictions for a fortnight from 8pm on Wednesday.
Describing the situation as “scary”, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said the overburdened health infrastructure in the state was unbearable. Maharashtra has experienced a surge in new Covid-19 cases, with 50,000 to 60,000 new cases being added daily, making it the worst-hit state in India.
Thackeray, in his video address, was hesitant to describe it as a complete lockdown. The state government will impose Section 144 (which bars the assembly of five or more people in an area) from 8pm on Wednesday until 7am on May 1.
“I am not happy while announcing these restrictions,” said the chief minister. “I have been warning for the last one month and now is the time to take actions to break the chain.”
The only aim is to save lives. We can revive the economy if we survive. — Uddhav Thackeray,
Chief Minister of Maharashtra
The only aim is to save lives. We can revive the economy if we survive.” Emergency services will remain open between 7am and 8pm daily, said Thackeray. These include buses and trains, petrol pumps, Sebi-associated financial institutions and construction work. While hotels and restaurants would remain closed, takeaway and home deliveries will be allowed, the chief minister said. And considering the needs of the poor, the Shiv Sena chief minister said the government would provide 3kg of wheat and 2kg rice to the poor and needy people for the period when the restrictions are in place. He also announced a financial package of Rs54 billion for helping those directly impacted by the restrictions and closure of business.