Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope asked residents of the state to be mentally prepared for a lockdown, with cases surging across the districts, reported Mid-Day. "The CM has discussed the crisis with all stakeholders. There is a strong feeling that a lockdown is needed to check the surge in COVID cases," he said.
Earlier, a COVID-19 task force chaired by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had met discuss measures, including imposition of a lockdown in the state, to break the virus chain.
A tweet from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) had then summarised: "In a meeting with the State Task Force, the chief minister discussed the availability of oxygen and beds, use of Remdesivir, treatment protocols, increase in capacity of facilities, imposition of restrictions and fines for violating COVID protocols." Medical Education Minister Amit Deshmukh, state Chief Secretary Sitaram Kunte and others took part in the meeting.
Thackeray is scheduled to hold consultations with the finance and other state departments on Monday and discussion will also take place in the cabinet meeting later this week. Thackeray had on Saturday indicated the imposition of a strict lockdown in the state given the alarming rise in COVID-19 cases. He had held an all-party meeting held virtually to discuss the COVID-19 situation in the state.
Last Sunday, the state government had announced a slew of restrictions, including a weekend lockdown, night curfew and prohibitory orders for the day time. These restrictions will continue till April 30.
-Inputs from PTI