Will impose strict lockdown in parts of Maharashtra to contain Covid: Uddhav Thackeray

The Maharashtra government on Thursday gave a firm hint that it would impose lockdowns at least in certain parts of the state where Covid-19 cases are on the rise. Chief minister Uddhav Thackeray indicated that regions were cases are rising would go under lockdown.

A decision is likely to be taken by this weekend or next week on possible restrictions in Mumbai. “For the past few days there is a lot of increase of Covid infections. If the situation doesn’t improve, then, as per the situation in some parts, we will be forced to initiate lockdowns,” Thackeray said, after he took his first dose of the Covid vaccine.

Government officials said Mumbai would also see some kind of restrictions in the next few days if cases continue to rise. Mumbai on Wednesday reported 1,539 new cases, while Maharashtra has seen 13,659. Nashik, Nagpur, Pune, Yavatmal, Aurangabad and PimpriChinchwad are also facing a rise in cases. Eight Maharashtra districts are in the top 10 based on the number of active Covid cases.


Earlier in the day, PTI reported that minister Nitin Raut had announced a“strict lockdown” in Nagpur Police Commissionerate limits from March 15 to 21. Raut is the guardian minister of Nagpur. The Maharashtra government has given civic and district administrations the liberty to initiate lockdown or tighten restrictions in their jurisdictions if needed.

On Wednesday, Kalyan-Dombivli in Thane declared a night curfew and said shops and establishments would be open only from 7am till 7pm. Bars and restaurants can serve their customers till 9pm. Night curfew has also been imposed at Nandurbar and Nashik district. While the government is putting restrictions, many citizens are angry about the measures.