The Maharashtra government will announce a complete lockdown starting Wednesday night and Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray will make the announcement, said State Health Minister Rajesh Tope while addressing the media in Mumbai.
Tope said the State Cabinet discussed a shutdown and everyone agreed on the need to impose a complete lockdown to curb the rising number of Covid-19 cases.
Tope said that the Cabinet told the Chief Minister that the lockdown should start from 8 pm on Wednesday. He said that the State administration is working on a detailed SOP.
‘Need of the hour’
Senior Minister Eknath Shinde, speaking to the media in Mumbai, said that a strict lockdown was the need of the hour and the government will ensure that it is implemented stringently. Another Minister, Chhagan Bhujbal, told the media that there is a need for a strict lockdown for 15 days to control the Covid-19 spread.
Looking at the shortage of medical oxygen, Maharashtra is heading towards a complete lockdown, and guidelines regarding it will be announced soon, added Minister Aslam Sheikh.
Transport Minister Anil Parab said the Chief Minister will announce the lockdown and SOPs will be announced. He said breaking the chain is necessary.