COVID-19: Be ready for stricter steps, Maharashtra HM Tope says
What's the story
Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Wednesday said that people should be ready for stringent measures in the coming days to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the state.
Talking to reporters in Mumbai, Tope said that saving lives is the government's priority.
Maharashtra has seen a massive surge in coronavirus cases over the last week.
Here are more details.
Tope's statement
Saving lives is paramount: Tope
On Wednesday, the Health Minister said, "People in the state should be ready for stricter and stringent measures in the coming days as COVID-19 cases are increasing."
"Though the state does not want to implement a lockdown, saving lives is paramount. Thus, the state could undertake measures to curb further spread of the coronavirus," he said.
Details
Lockdown plan entailing minimal impact on economy being prepared
Struggling to arrest the fresh surge in COVID-19 cases, the State Government last week had imposed a night curfew from March 28 and had announced a ban on all types of gatherings, including political and religious.
Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday asked the officials to prepare a plan for implementation of a lockdown which will have minimum impact on the state's economy.
Information
Danger of coronavirus is not over, it has increased: CM
People violating the curfew will be charged Rs. 1000 whereas those violating the wearing of masks protocols will be charged Rs. 500, and persons found spitting will have to submit a fine of Rs. 1000.
Expressing concern over the surge in COVID-19 cases, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had warned that the danger of coronavirus is not over, instead, it has increased.
Lockdown
Constituents of the MVA Government split over lockdown plans
On Tuesday, the constituents of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) Government spoke in different voices on the need for a fresh lockdown in the state, with some leaders of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Shiv Sena questioning its effectiveness against the pandemic.
Tope, an NCP leader, on Tuesday, said that imposing a lockdown is the last option for the state government.
Data
Maharashtra recorded 27,918 fresh coronavirus cases on Tuesday
On Tuesday, Maharashtra reported 27,918 new cases of coronavirus, taking the tally to 27,73, 436. Besides, 139 COVID-19 deaths were also reported on Tuesday, raising the toll in the state to 54,422, as per the Health Department.