Maharashtra: New curbs imposed in Mumbai amid rising coronavirus cases
Maharashtra, which has remained the worst-affected Indian state since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, is once again dealing with an alarming rise in cases. On Thursday, the daily tally crossed 5,000 for the first time in nearly 75 days, and on the same day, newer curbs were imposed in Mumbai. The state capital logged 736 fresh cases yesterday. Here are more details.
Marshals appointed to nab those traveling without masks
As per the updated guidelines, residential buildings having more than five active coronavirus patients will be sealed. The city's civic body — the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation — has deployed 300 marshals to nab those traveling in local trains without masks. The aim is to, reportedly, catch 25,000 offenders. BMC said the strength of the marshals elsewhere will be doubled to 4,800 from 2,400.
Wedding venues will be inspected, offenders will face legal action
Further, cops are now authorized to levy fines on people roaming without masks. Regular inspections will be carried out at halls, wedding venues, etc. to see if coronavirus-linked precautions are being adhered to. "Violation of any rules will lead to legal action against organizers and concerned management," the BMC said. Those flouting home isolation, wedding, and gathering rules will be prosecuted.
Institutional quarantine mandatory for incoming travelers from Brazil
"Travelers coming to Mumbai from Brazil will be put into compulsory seven days institutional quarantine. Hands of citizens instructed to quarantine at home will be stamped, (sic)" the guidelines read.
The situation in other places isn't heartening either
Newer curbs have also been imposed in districts like Amravati, Nagpur, Buldhana, Yavatmal, Akola, Parbhani, and Jalna in view of the inflated coronavirus cases. Some of these districts have limited gatherings to just five people (or less) and have started implementing the SMS policy — social distancing, masking, and sanitizing — religiously. Educational institutions would be shut for at least two more weeks.
Weekend lockdown imposed in Amaravati
Meanwhile, weekend lockdown returned in Amravati. Until a month ago, the district was registering less than 70 cases daily. But after cases rose, the administration enforced a lockdown from 8 pm on Saturday till 7 am on Monday. "The markets will be shut from Saturday night till Monday morning. For now, this is being implemented for one day," health official Dr. Dilip Ranmale, said.
Deputy CM warned citizens of another lockdown
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said that the government will be forced to introduce another lockdown if people don't cooperate. Pointing toward the lax attitude taken by citizens, he said 5,000-10,000 were attending wedding ceremonies and overcrowding was seen in local trains. "The positivity rate in some of the districts is high. We will have no option, but to impose the lockdown if this continues," he said.
