Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday announced to put in place restrictions and "not a strict lockdown" to contain the spread of novel Covid-19 in the state. Addressing the state, the Chief Minister announced to extend the existing Covid-19 restrictions for another 15 days.


"Our COVID-19 figures are high even today. They are commensurate to the peak of first wave….that was after festivities. Today’s figures are similar to before the festivities. The death rate has reduced as compared to the first wave of Covid-19. We are putting restrictions, not a strict lockdown." 


Further in his address, the Chief Minister warned the citizens of predicted third wave of Covid-19 and mutation of the virus, which needs to be dealt the appropriate behaviour. 


"There are a few districts in Maharashtra where numbers are going high, especially in rural areas. We need to stop this. There is a prediction of third wave of Covid-19. It will depend on our behaviour. There is a difference in the virus. It's mutation now. A new avatar has raised questions in front of other countries, if they should allow people coming from India. It spreads faster," CM Uddhav Thackeray said. 


Maharashtra reported 18,600 new cases have been reported on Sunday, taking the total tally to 57,31,815. The recovery rate in the state stood at 93.55 per cent. On Saturday reported 20,295 fresh coronavirus positive cases and 443 fatalities. The state has around 3,000 cases of Mucormycosis (Black Fungus).