Night curfew across Maharashtra from March 28, lockdown option open: Government

CM says he doesn’t favour a state-wide lockdown, but local restrictions likely to be imposed if situation doesn’t improve soon

A sharp rise in the number of active COVID-19 cases has forced the government to impose a night curfew across the state from Sunday (March 28). Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray reviewed the worsening situation on Friday and said action had to be taken because no immediate option is available to counter the increasing transmission. He said he didn’t want a lockdown again, but told district collectors and municipal chiefs to impose lockdown in their jurisdiction, if necessitated by the spike. 

SOM districts have already imposed total lockdown. 

The CM explained the rationale behind the restrictions saying that the health apparatus might fall short of providing Covid care in the wake of a second wave.
Thackeray asked the state disaster management department to issue night curfew orders on Friday night itself, declaring the curfew timings and other restrictions. 
Malls have been directed to remain closed from 8 pm to 7 am from Saturday onwards.

A crowded Memon Street in south Mumbai on March 20. Authorities have been urging people to stay away from scenes like this. Pic/Ashish Rane

“It is important to prevent crowding by imposing restrictions and ensuring their implementation,” he said in a statement after meeting all revenue and civic chiefs, health and police officials and the state’s Coronavirus Task Force.

“Consider the future and make healthcare facilities, beds medicine available,” Thackeray asked the state machinery.

He said the danger wasn’t over but intensified. 

“People should understand this, because we don’t know the extent of future growth of active cases. Harsh restrictions become necessary in such a situation and the districts where cases have been increasing should impose lockdown, if necessary,” he added.

‘Ensure safety of COVID centres’

In view of a devastating fire in a temporary Covid centre in Bhandup, the CM issued directives for ensuring safety of such facilities, especially firefighting, across the state.

8pm
Mall closing time from today

Mar 28
Date the night curfew kicks in

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