8 Days 'Complete Lockdown' Needed In Maharashtra, Says CM Thackeray; Final Decision On Sunday

Thackeray, who held an all-party meeting with Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis and his Cabinet colleagues via video conferencing to discuss the future course of action, said eight days of strict lockdown is needed in the state in order to control the situation and added that a lockdown with minor relaxations would not help control the situation post upsurge of corona cases in Maharashtra.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. (File Photo/Getty)

Mumbai: With Maharashtra contributing to almost half of the Covid-19 infections in the country each day, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday voiced for an eight-day total lockdown to defeat the pandemic, which has thrown normal life out of gear across the state.

Thackeray, who held an all-party meeting with Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis and his Cabinet colleagues via video conferencing to discuss the future course of action, said eight days of strict lockdown is needed in the state in order to control the situation and added that a lockdown with minor relaxations would not help control the situation post upsurge of corona cases in Maharashtra.

The Chief Minister said his government is taking all necessary steps in order to control the situation.

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Thackeray put the ball in the Centre’s court stating it is practically very difficult to trace the people with infections since everything is open now.

“Last year during lockdown people were at home so it wasn't difficult to trace infection. Since now everything is open it is practically very difficult to trace people. The Centre must understand this,” ANI quoted Thackeray as saying.

“I have been speaking to many people from different sectors, even private hospitals for the last few days. All are ready to support the government,” he added.

Maharashtra Minister and NCP leader Nawab Malik, who attended the meeting, said the Chief Minister will hold a meeting with the task force tomorrow after which further decision will be taken

“With rising Covid-19 cases despite the strict protocols, healthcare system is likely to face more pressure in the coming days,” he added.

Echoing similar sentiments, Maharashtra Minister Aslam Shaikh said the government is trying to avoid lockdown, adding stringent measures, including weekend lockdown, were hence enforced.

READ: Mumbai's Covid-19 Vaccination Drive Gets Hit By Lack Of Doses, Private Centres To Remain Shut Till Monday

“But it seems to have no effect on new Covid-19 cases. All party representatives held a meeting today, to discuss all possibilities to contain the pandemic,” he said.

The meeting assumes significance as Maharashtra, which is worst-affected by COVID-19 pandemic, has reported 55,411 new Covid-19 cases and 309 deaths in the last 24 hours due to the virus.

The Maharashtra Government had earlier imposed a weekend lockdown in the state beginning at 8 p.m. on Friday till 7 a.m. on Monday besides other restrictions, which will continue till April 30.