Maha CM orders COVID task force to implement Lockdown like rules

Maharashtra: Among the continuous case surge in Maharashtra, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackrey held a meeting with the senior health officials and COVID task force and instructed them to prepare for restrictions similar to lockdown if people continue to violate COVID-related rules.

ANI reports that the high-level meeting took place on March 28 where the CM said that the cases are rising because people are not following guidelines seriously and that is why strict steps like lockdown need to be considered.

Thackrey also warned of stricter restrictions if people did not observe COVID-19 safety protocol, an official release said. As per earlier orders, a night curfew will be imposed in Maharashtra from today 8 pm in view of the unabated rise in COVID-19 cases.

The curfew order will come into effect from Sunday night. Also, local authorities should ensure that shopping malls remain shut between 8 pm and 7 am, Thackeray ordered after a meeting.

CM also asked state and semi-government administrations to restrictions on visitors entry. He said that if the private establishments are not adhering to the 50% attendance rule, the state administration should prepare a plan for imposing lockdown, according to reports.

Among the curbs, the state government has increased the fine to ₹500 from the existing ₹200 on anyone found without a mask in public in an attempt to contain virus surge.

“Any person found to be without masks shall be fined an amount of ₹500. Any person found to be spitting in public places will be fined an amount of ₹1000”, informed Maharashtra Government. In view of the rising graph of COVID-19 cases, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had on Friday directed officials to impose section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure under which gathering of five or more persons will be banned in night in the state beginning March 28.