Maharashtra Covid-19 Crisis: Night Curfew Imposed In Pune, Lockdown In Akola

Following the order of the district administration, malls and theaters besides hotels and bars in Pune will remain shut from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. during the night curfew. The gardens too will remain closed in the evening.

(Representative Image/Getty)

Mumbai: With Maharashtra witnessing a surge in coronavirus cases, a night curfew has been imposed in Pune from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. along with other parts of the state.

Following the order of the district administration, malls and theaters besides hotels and bars in Pune will remain shut from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. during the night curfew. The gardens too will remain closed in the evening.

The schools and colleges in Pune will also remain shut till March 31 as a precautionary measure with the state’s active Covid-19 case tally crossing over one lakh.

The administration has also announced a complete lockdown in Akola from Friday evening. The restrictions will remain in place from 8 p.m. on Friday till 8 a.m. on Monday.

This comes as the state recorded over 14,000 Covid-19 cases.

Earlier on Thursday, the Centre cautioned the people to remain “careful and watchful” and not lower their guards as the pandemic is not over yet.

NITI Aayog member (Health) V.K. Paul termed the situation, especially in Maharashtra, “worrisome”.

“We are reaching a situation where these approaches (to tackle the spread of COVID-19) are being brought back,” Paul said while referring to the lockdown imposed in Nagpur from March 15 to 21.

“We are very worried about the rise in cases in Maharashtra. Don't take this virus for granted. It can come up unexpectedly. If we have to remain free of this virus, COVID-appropriate behaviour, containment strategy as well as vaccination has to be brought in,” he added.