Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray: ‘We have to tackle coronavirus before monsoon starts’

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray addressed the State on Monday as India entered the fourth phase of the coronavirus lockdown. 

Through video conferencing, the Maharashtra CM said that the coronavirus will have to be tackled before the monsoon begins as ‘schools and colleges will be scheduled to start again in June’.

The CM also said that around 50,000 businesses had been allowed to operate around the State, and many labourers have been employed in green zones. These businesses have only been allowed to open outside containment and red zones. He also welcomed new investors to invest in Maharashtra and assured that the lands would be provided to these investors on a rental basis.

CM Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray addressing the State https://t.co/Pz6crN63Ee

— CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) May 18, 2020

He appealed people to join the workforce to battle the coronavirus. “Maintaining the green zone is vital and now converting red zone into the green is the top priority. I want to tell all people, just as you have listened to the government for the safety of our State, wherever there is a green zone, get out with the purpose that you have to re-build our Maharashtra,” he said.

Talking about the rising cases in Mumbai, he said, “Even as the patients in Mumbai are rising but there are a lot of recoveries as well. In Mumbai, today there are over 19,000 patients but around 5,000 patients have been cured and went home.”

He further urged migrant workers not to walk to their hometowns. Close to five lakh migrants have reached their home using trains and buses and thus requested workers to remain patient.

While concluding his video conference, he said, “We have to get the life back on track but now I am sure that it will take some time for that to happen.”

Earlier, CM Thackeray took oath as a member of the Legislative Council. He thanked the Assembly MLAs for his uncontested win for the seat.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra has reported 33,053 coronavirus cases with the death toll at 1,198. Mumbai is the worst-hit city in the State with close to 20,000 cases followed by other major cities such as Pune, Nashik, Aurangabad, Solapur, to name a few.